For Immediate Release
January 3, 2003

NEW USTOA WEBSITE MAKES VACATION PLANNING SIMPLE
Search by Destination, Activity, Personality Preferences or Company Name

Finding a vacation packager or tour operator that meets the travel industry’s strictest qualifications is now simpler than ever, with the totally redesigned web site just introduced by the nonprofit United States Tour Operators Association: www.ustoa.com. The site provides search engines and information on more than 135 of the top brands in vacation packages and tours represented by USTOA Active Members.

Navigating is easy, as all the content is available with one click from the home page. Travelers can select the right vacation packager or tour operator for their needs based on four different criteria, find useful consumer tips and timely information, learn more about the organization, and link directly to the 56 Corporate Members that comprise USTOA.

Select the Right USTOA Member from Drop-Down Windows
  • To choose the right vacation packager or tour operator, travelers simply click a drop-down menu, available from the home page, and search by the following criteria:
  • Destination: From Africa to Washington, DC, travelers need only click on a destination for a listing and links to USTOA member companies serving specific geographic areas.
  • Activity: Choose from activities ranging from adventure tours and barging or golf; from hot-air ballooning to yachting, and from tours for singles, seniors and women – as well as from many other activities and interests.
  • Personality Preferences: Take USTOA’s on-site Vacation Personality Quiz, linked to the home page, and determine whether you are best suited to an independent package, escorted tour, or special interest- adventure tour. Once your travel type is determined, click on the drop-down window, and search by two sub-categories: destination and activity. For instance, if the quiz determines that you are an independent traveler, and you want to visit Alaska, the drop-down windows link to information on corresponding tour operators that fill the bill.
  • USTOA Member Company: This option allows travelers to search by company name, and provides an easy way to verify membership in USTOA, learn more about the company, or link directly to its web site.
Consumer Information

Aside from the vacation planning function, the new site brims with helpful information, including:

Information on USTOA:

  • Facts on USTOA
  • Membership Fast Facts
  • List of USTOA Members
  • The Association’s missions, goals and activities

Smart Travel Planning:

This section is the online version of USTOA’s "Smart Travelers Planning Kit," and provides important information travelers should know. Travelers can also link to the USTOA Vacation Personality Quiz.
Sections are divided by:

  • Consumer Protection: Details of USTOA’s $1 Million Consumer Protection Plan
  • Advantages of Tours & Packages: How packages can help travelers save money and gain peace of mind, while providing a wide variety of vacations.
  • Find Your Vacation Personality: The USTOA Vacation Personality Quiz, an interactive, self-scoring questionnaire.
  • Choosing The Tour That’s Right For You: An overview of the different types of tours available.
  • Shopping Tips: Useful tips on tours, including important terminology on prices, itineraries, hotels and more.
  • Travel Glossary: Defining terms travelers will find in researching their holidays.
  • Travel Agents, Your Best Bet: How and why to use travel agents in planning a vacation.
  • News & Resources: The latest news from USTOA -- plus links to helpful sites like the Federal Trade Commission, Weather and Travel Conditions, and more,
  • plus FAQ’s: Answers to the most commonly asked questions about vacation packages and tours.

In addition, a "Travel Wise" section offers changing information and timely travel tips for consumers. A link to the Travelers Conservation Foundation, founded by USTOA, takes web surfers directly to the site, for more information on the foundation’s work and projects.

To access a listing of USTOA member companies, all of whom have met the travel industry’s highest standards, and who subscribe to the USTOA $1 Million Consumer Protection Plan--which reimburses travelers up to $1 Million in case of a Member company closure or bankruptcy--visit the USTOA web site at www.ustoa.com. A copy of USTOA’s Smart Traveler’s Planning Kit is also available by phoning 1-800-GO-USTOA (468-7862).

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Press Contact:

Linda Kundell
Kundell Communications
(212) 877-2798 phone
(212) 877-3387 fax
LRKPR@att.net or LRKPR@aol.com

For all other inquiries about USTOA, please contact USTOA.