USTOA Tour Operators

Knowing that a vacation was planned by trusted industry professionals brings peace of mind while traveling domestically and abroad. Should an unforeseen problem arise, a tour escort, local host or representative of the USTOA tour operator is available to assist travelers. Pre-paying for a trip also allows travelers to budget for the vacation with greater certainty since all costs and inclusions are known upfront. And, many USTOA tour operator members offer flexible booking and payment terms.

Tour operators buy in bulk and negotiate special rates for guaranteed hotel accommodations, ground transportation, sightseeing tours, and meals and other services. By doing all of this, USTOA tour operators achieve savings that are passed on to the consumer. Many tours also include select meals, hotel tips and sightseeing, which add up to additional savings for travelers.

As part of a tour group, travelers generally avoid the wait and go right in. Because USTOA tour operators negotiate with local sightseeing companies, they can often provide accessibility to otherwise hard-to-wait attractions, such as the Colosseum in Rome or after-hours visits to King Tut's Tomb in Egypt.

Today’s traveler wants to go beyond the tourist hotspots and experience the colorful history, unique culture, and distinct tastes of a destination. USTOA tour operator members offer a variety of programs that focus on special interests including art, cuisine, and adventure. Such programs also provide travelers with non-traditional experiences such as enjoying a home-cooked Scottish meal at a local family’s farmhouse, learning how to cook authentic Vietnamese dishes in Hoi An, or volunteering at a game reserve in Africa, singular experiences that would be hard to arrange on one’s own.

Tours do not always mean “group travel.” Many USTOA tour operator members offer packaged travel options with same benefits and protections to explore the world on your own. And, tour itineraries can be created with more flexibility that allows ample time to explore points of interest on one’s own. With the help of a local tour guide, guests gain suggestions on what to see and do, and tips on how to maximize the time spent away from the group.

Travelers who book a tour with a USTOA tour operator member are protected by the USTOA $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program. Among other requirements, the program stipulates that in case of a USTOA tour operator member bankruptcy or insolvency or cessation of business, tour deposits and payments are protected up to an aggregate of $1 million. In addition to protecting consumer’s vacation dollars, these operators must meet strict requirements of ethics and integrity in their tour offerings and advertising.