Active New Member Information

A USTOA Active Member is defined as a tour operator that conducts business in the United States, and has been in business for at least three years. All Active Members adhere to USTOA's strict code of ethics, which is framed by a pledge to encourage and maintain the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and service.

All USTOA Active Members participate in USTOA $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program, which offers consumers protection and peace of mind in the event of the company's bankruptcy,  insolvency or cessation of business.  USTOA Active Members carry the USTOA Active Member logo on their printed materials and/or websites, indicating their participation in the USTOA $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program.

Why Join USTOA?

• USTOA is the only travel industry organization whose membership is exempt from the trust account requirements of theCalifornia Seller of Travel Law
• Recognized by travel advisors, consumers and the press as the standard of excellence and leading association of its kind
• The buying power of USTOA Membership: $19 billion travel packages sold, 9.8 million travelers yearly, $12.8 billion goods and services purchased
• Connections to industry leaders and membership representing top destinations and suppliers from around the world
• Social responsibility, we are proud co-founders of Tourism Cares, the industry’s philanthropic organization

Benefits of Active Membership

• Invited to take part in the member-only USTOA Annual Conference & Marketplace, held in early December every year. The conference is more than just another networking event. USTOA Associate Members have an opportunity to interface with top executives from worldwide tour operators (USTOA Active Members) on a one to one, buy and sell basis, and really build meaningful partnerships that can take their business to the next level.

  Members will also be able to participate in (or attend) state of the art symposiums that are both educational and interactive, and profit from the experience of industry leaders. Keynote speakers and expert panel discussions will help inspire and educate you to adhere to best practices, be an early adopter of trends and help you expand your global business.

• Receive the opportunity to feature the appropriate USTOA Active Member logo on their marketing materials.
• Invitations to all events including webinars, Business After Hours networking mixers, and periodic events held throughout the year like the USTOA Congressional Caucus.

Advocacy

• Effective representation at the USTOA Congressional Caucus
• Proactive engagement with lawmakers at state, federal, or international levels

Education

• Seminars, Workshops, and Research such as:
  • Human Services Response Training
  • Innovation Lab with Cornell University
• Webinars
• Packaged Travel Index

Networking

• Annual Conference & Marketplace
• Out of Country Meeting
• Business After Hours events
• Facebook Coffee Chats
• Social Media Channels

Exposure

• Tour Review Site
• Co-Op Marketing
• Enhanced Visibility to Consumers and Travel Advisors
• Active Member logo on your website and Marketing Materials

Qualifications

An Active Member is defined as a tour operator that has conducted business in the United States.

To become an Active Member of USTOA, a tour operator company must:

• meet the definition of a Tour Operator
• provide a total of 18 references on its application from a variety of industry sources and financial institutions, including two current Active Members as sponsors. 
• be formed, or have qualified to do business, as a wholesale Tour Operator under the laws of one or more State(s) within the United States and have actively conducted business as a wholesale Tour Operator for not less than three (3) years with at least the last twenty-four (24) months thereof being conducted in one or more State(s) within the United States and shall continue at all times during membership to actively conduct business as a wholesale Tour Operator in one or more of said States;
• have operated their company as a wholesale Tour Operator under the same ownership and/or management for not less than three (3) years, except that the same ownership and/or management for at least three (3) years shall not be required for commencement or continuation of Active Membership of a Tour Operator, ownership of which is acquired by another Active Member in good standing. The three (3) year continuity otherwise required shall be deemed no longer to be fulfilled (i) as regards ownership, if a transfer of ownership interests or part thereof of an Active Member Tour Operator is of sufficient magnitude as to place a new or different owner or owners in position to exercise effective control of such Tour Operator or (ii) as regards management, if change or changes in personnel in position(s) of management of an Active Member Tour Operator is (are) of sufficient consequence as to substantially transfer overall power(s) of management control to new or different management personnel.
• Are not primarily engaged in (a) providing accommodations, such as owners or operators of hotels or resorts or (b) providing travel arrangements for inbound visitors to the United States.
• carry a minimum of $1,000,000 professional Travel Agent/Tour Operator liability insurance, with worldwide coverage
• participate in the USTOA $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program by posting $1 million in the form of a letter of credit, bond or US Treasury bill, for use in reimbursing consumer deposits in case of bankruptcy, insolvency or cessation of business.

Annual Dues

The Active Member annual dues range from $4,800 to $13,800 per year upon the basis of its combined tour business volume including all Brands for which the Active Member logo is used. There is an additional $1,250 fee for each Brand listed under your company membership.

If you would like the application form sent to you in Word format, please email membership@ustoa.com.