USTOA and Popular Photography & Imaging magazine (PP&I) have teamed up to launch parallel surveys on what photo buffs most want on vacation. Readers of PPIM will be directed to the magazine’s website and asked to identify photographic “dream” destinations around the world. A parallel survey will ask USTOA tour operators to recommend best places to photograph, and vacation tips for photographers.

The survey is set for posting on the magazine’s website at www.popphoto.com in mid-March. Latest numbers for PP&I’s site show more than 250,000 readers a month. Results will be released in early summer.

“The Popular Photography & Imaging Survey is part of USTOA’s branding campaign to increase awareness of, and showcase the wide range of tour and vacation options offered by our members, and to extend the range of our audience,” says USTOA President, Bob Whitely. “The message is: ‘No matter what kind of photographer you are - whether focused on family vacation snapshots or sophisticated out-of-the-way destinations – USTOA members have a trip for you!’"

This project marks the first time USTOA has teamed up with a publication outside the travel industry. According to PP&I’s Editor in Chief John Owens, the joint program provides a springboard for both the magazine and USTOA to appeal to a wider audience.

Reciprocal links will direct USTOA readers to the PP&I Survey and vice versa. An introductory page on the PP&I website will describe the variety of tours and packages offered by USTOA members, and link to the USTOA website for detailed information. It will also encourage readers to see a travel agent when booking a vacation.