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| foundation = 1972
| foundation = 1972
| location = [[New York, New York]]
| location = [[New York, New York]]
| homepage = http://www.ustoa.com/
| homepage = {{URL|https://www.ustoa.com/}}
| industry = [[Travel]]
| industry = [[Travel]]
| area_served = [[North America]]
| members = 143
| members_year = February 2024
}}
}}


'''United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA)''' is a [[501(c)]] registered nonprofit professional association that represents the [[tour operator]] industry. Its members are made up of companies who provide services worldwide but who conduct business in the U.S. As a voice for the tour operator industry, USTOA represents this sector in matters pertaining to the travel industry as a whole, both in the U.S. and abroad. Among USTOA's goals are [[consumer protection]] and education,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/how-can-find-the-right-tour-operator.html?id=3810934|title=How Can I Find the Right Tour Operator?|date=9 November 2009}}</ref> and its standards and work in this area have earned USTOA the endorsement of the United States Government's Consumer Action Handbook.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.consumeraction.gov/trade.shtml|title=Official Guide to Government Information and Services &#124; USAGov}}</ref>
=== United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) is a professional, voluntary trade association created with the primary purpose of promoting integrity within the tour operator industry. ===
USTOA was founded in 1972 by a small group of California tour operators concerned about tour operator bankruptcies. These founding members recognized the need for a unified voice to protect the traveling public, as well as to represent the interests of tour operators. In 1975, USTOA became a national organization with headquarters in New York.


In 2022, USTOA, alongside other nonprofit associations within the travel industry such as ASTA and U.S. Travel, actively advocated for the elimination of the inbound pre-travel testing requirement imposed by the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.travelmarketreport.com/News/articles/Travel-Industry-Reacts-to-US-Ending-COVID-19-Testing-Rule|title=Travel Industry Reacts to U.S. Ending COVID-19 Testing Rule}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://bcsbuscharter.com/new-york-charter-bus-rental|title=New York Charter Bus|access-date=8 February 2024}}</ref>
Today, USTOA Active members represent some of the top names in travel and tourism, and account for a sizeable portion of the tour operator market in North America.


==Membership==
==== History and Accomplishments ====
USTOA's membership consists of companies that must meet a number of ethical and financial criteria,<ref>http://blmc.enr-corp.com/onlineclips/21185/21185_72303087.pdf {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.travelmole.com/stories/1115818.php|title=US tour operators form committee to define responsible tourism-13 February, 2007|access-date=2010-09-20|archive-date=2011-07-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723173152/http://www.travelmole.com/stories/1115818.php|url-status=dead}}</ref> including participation in the USTOA $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program, which among other things protects consumer payments up to $1 million in case the company files for bankruptcy, insolvency or cessation of business.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.travelpulse.com/Resources/Editorial.aspx?n=59535|title=TravelPulse: Travel News, Information and Offers}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://madeinatlantis.com/travel/ustoa_protection_plan.htm|title = USTOA's Consumer Protection Plan}}</ref> The association currently has a membership base of over 143 organizations, which encompasses a diverse range of companies such as Abercrombie & Kent, Adventures by Disney, The Travel Corporation USA,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/ustoa-reveals-2024-leadership-at-annual-conference/|title=USTOA reveals 2024 leadership at annual conference|website=Travel And Tour World|date=7 December 2023|access-date=8 February 2024}}</ref> Viking Cruises, Windstar Cruises<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.travelagentcentral.com/cruises/windstar-cruises-joins-ustoa|title=Windstar Cruises Joins USTOA|date=18 March 2021|website=Travel Agent Central|author-first=Matt|author-last=Turner|access-date=8 February 2024}}</ref> and WorldStrides.
The association made history in 1976 when it became the first travel organization to establish a consumer protection fund, followed by a $100,000 per member bonding requirement to protect consumers' tour deposits and payments in case of bankruptcy or cessation of business.  


⚫
==References==
Over the years, the plan has been strengthened in response to changing economic times. Today, the USTOA $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program -- which requires each member company to set aside $1 million of its own funds specifically to protect consumers' deposits and payments -- is recognized as the strongest of its kind in the industry.
⚫
{{Reflist}}

But, USTOA does far more. Through ongoing public relations and consumer awareness campaigns, we educate the traveling public about the benefits of packaged vacations. We help destinations and travel entities build tourism through organizing workshops, product development trips and meetings.

Last but not least, USTOA's highly active government affairs committee has tirelessly championed a policy of open borders. The committee has worked successfully with the Department of Transportation (DOT), U.S. State Department and other government entities to facilitate tourism worldwide.
<br />

==== Mission and Goals ====
USTOA was started to foster trust in tour operators, and its motto, “Integrity in Tourism” requires members to adhere to the highest standards in the industry. Among these is the principle of ethical conduct, which requires members to conduct business according to a set of professional standards which include representing all facts, conditions and requirements relating to tours and vacation packages truthfully and accurately.

Truth in Advertising requires that members advertise and quote prices that are totally deliverable; accurately identify facilities, accommodations and services; and communicate any substitutions promptly to the travel agent and/or their client.

Members must also demonstrate ethical and financial responsibility in their business conduct in order to instill confidence in their financial stability, reliability, and integrity.

==== USTOA's Goal ====

* Educate the travel industry, government agencies, and the public about tours, vacation packages, and tour operators
* Protect consumers and travel advisors from financial loss in the event of a USTOA Active Member's bankruptcy, insolvency or cessation of business;
* Foster a high level of professionalism within the tour operator industry;
* Promote and develop travel on a worldwide basis.

=== '''United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) is a professional, voluntary trade association created with the primary purpose of promoting integrity within the tour operator industry.''' ===
'''USTOA was founded in 1972 by a small group of California tour operators concerned about tour operator bankruptcies. These founding members recognized the need for a unified voice to protect the traveling public, as well as to represent the interests of tour operators. In 1975, USTOA became a national organization with headquarters in New York.'''

'''Today, USTOA Active members represent some of the top names in travel and tourism and account for a sizeable portion of the tour operator market in North America.'''


==External links==
==External links==
* {{Official website|https://ustoa.com/}}
* http://www.ustoa.com; http://www.ustoa.us; http://www.ustoa.org https://www.ustoa.com/member-directory


{{Authority control}}
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==References==
⚫
{{Reflist}}


[[Category:Organizations based in New York City]]
[[Category:Tourism in the United States]]
[[Category:Tourism in the United States]]
[[Category:Traveling business organizations]]
[[Category:Traveling business organizations]]
[[Category:Transportation associations in the United States]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 1972]]
[[Category:1972 establishments in New York City]]

Latest revision as of 19:40, 8 February 2024

United States Tour Operators Association
IndustryTravel
Founded1972
HeadquartersNew York, New York
Area served
North America
Members143 (February 2024)
Websitewww.ustoa.com

United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) is a 501(c) registered nonprofit professional association that represents the tour operator industry. Its members are made up of companies who provide services worldwide but who conduct business in the U.S. As a voice for the tour operator industry, USTOA represents this sector in matters pertaining to the travel industry as a whole, both in the U.S. and abroad. Among USTOA's goals are consumer protection and education,[1] and its standards and work in this area have earned USTOA the endorsement of the United States Government's Consumer Action Handbook.[2]

In 2022, USTOA, alongside other nonprofit associations within the travel industry such as ASTA and U.S. Travel, actively advocated for the elimination of the inbound pre-travel testing requirement imposed by the United States.[3][4]

Membership[edit]

USTOA's membership consists of companies that must meet a number of ethical and financial criteria,[5][6] including participation in the USTOA $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program, which among other things protects consumer payments up to $1 million in case the company files for bankruptcy, insolvency or cessation of business.[7][8] The association currently has a membership base of over 143 organizations, which encompasses a diverse range of companies such as Abercrombie & Kent, Adventures by Disney, The Travel Corporation USA,[9] Viking Cruises, Windstar Cruises[10] and WorldStrides.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "How Can I Find the Right Tour Operator?". 9 November 2009.
  2. ^ "Official Guide to Government Information and Services | USAGov".
  3. ^ "Travel Industry Reacts to U.S. Ending COVID-19 Testing Rule".
  4. ^ "New York Charter Bus". Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  5. ^ http://blmc.enr-corp.com/onlineclips/21185/21185_72303087.pdf [dead link]
  6. ^ "US tour operators form committee to define responsible tourism-13 February, 2007". Archived from the original on 2011-07-23. Retrieved 2010-09-20.
  7. ^ "TravelPulse: Travel News, Information and Offers".
  8. ^ "USTOA's Consumer Protection Plan".
  9. ^ "USTOA reveals 2024 leadership at annual conference". Travel And Tour World. 7 December 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  10. ^ Turner, Matt (18 March 2021). "Windstar Cruises Joins USTOA". Travel Agent Central. Retrieved 8 February 2024.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=United_States_Tour_Operators_Association&oldid=1205065746"