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{{ infobox company
{{Infobox company
| name = United States Tour Operators Association
| name = United States Tour Operators Association
| logo = [[File:Ustoa_logo.jpg|{{deletable image-caption}}]]
| logo = USTOA Corp Logo.jpg
| 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
}}
}}


'''The United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA)''' is a [[501(c)]] registered nonprofit professional association representing the [[tour operator]] industry. Its members are made up of companies whose tours, vacation packages, and custom arrangements encompass the entire globe 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>http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/how-can-find-the-right-tour-operator.html?id=3810934</ref> and its high standards and work in this area have earned USTOA the endorsement of the United States Government's Consumer Action Handbook<ref>http://www.consumeraction.gov/trade.shtml</ref>.
'''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>


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>
USTOA member companies must meet a number of ethical criteria<ref>http://blmc.enr-corp.com/onlineclips/21185/21185_72303087.pdf</ref>, including participation in the association’s Travelers Assistance Program, which among other things protects consumer payments up to $1 million in case the company goes out of business.<ref>http://www.travelpulse.com/Resources/Editorial.aspx?n=59535</ref><ref>http://madeinatlantis.com/travel/ustoa_protection_plan.htm</ref>


==Motto==
==Membership==
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.


⚫
==References==
''Integrity in Tourism''
{{Reflist}}


==Mission==
==External links==
* {{Official website|https://ustoa.com/}}


{{Authority control}}
USTOA's mission is focused on improving industry standards<ref>http://www.americantourismsociety.org/Members/USTOA.html</ref> and consumer advocacy<ref>Goeldner, Charles R. and Ritchie, J.R. Brent. ''Tourism: principles, practices, philosophies.''</ref><ref>http://www.travelweekly.com/article_ektid215196.aspx</ref><ref>http://www.hellotravel.com/associations/ustoa</ref> through the following:


[[Category:Organizations based in New York City]]
* Inform the travel industry, government agencies and the public about tour operators' activities and objectives.
[[Category:Tourism in the United States]]
* Educate consumers on matters pertaining to tours and vacation packages.
[[Category:Traveling business organizations]]
* Help consumers recoup financial loss arising from an Active Member's bankruptcy or insolvency.
[[Category:Transportation associations in the United States]]
* Help maintain a high level of professionalism within the tour operator industry.
[[Category:Organizations established in 1972]]
* Represent the tour operator community and cooperate with other trade organizations and government agencies.
[[Category:1972 establishments in New York City]]
* Facilitate and encourage tourism on a worldwide basis.

==Principles==

USTOA Active Members pledge to adhere to the following principles:

'''Ethical Conduct:''' Members must conduct business with competence and professionalism, representing truthfully and accurately all facts, conditions and requirements relating to their tours and travel packages.

'''Truth In Advertising:''' Advertising and quoting of prices must clearly show total deliverable prices, accurately identifying facilities, accommodations and services used. Any changes or substitutions must be communicated expeditiously to the travel agent and/or client involved.

'''Ethical and Financial Responsibility:''' Active members' business conduct must instill confidence in their financial stability, reliability and integrity.

==Membership Categories & Standards==

USTOA has three categories of membership: Active, Associate, and Allied.

'''Active Members''' must meet the definition of a tour operator. In addition, they must:
*have 16 references from reputable travel industry organizations, plus two from USTOA Active Members.
*be in business at least three years under same ownership and/or management.
*meet specific minimums in terms of passengers and/or sales volume.
*carry minimum $1,000,000 of professional Travel Agent/Tour Operator liability insurance, with worldwide coverage.
*participate in USTOA's Travelers Assistance Program, which among other requirements, stipulates that each Active Corporate USTOA member post a $1 million bond to help protect consumers in case of bankruptcy or other insolvency.

'''Associate Members''' are organizations, common carriers and suppliers of tour products and services, other entities connected with travel not directly serving travelers on tour itineraries. Includes Worldwide Airlines, Car Rental Companies, Hotel/Resort/Restaurant Groups, Tourist Organizations, Trade Associations.

'''Allied Members''' are carriers (other than common carriers) and suppliers whose products or services bring them into contact with travelers on tour itineraries. Includes Advertising & Public Relations, Airlines (Local), Airport Authorities, Attractions, Cruise Operators, Financial Services, Ground Tour Operators, Independent Hotels/Restaurants/Resorts, Insurance & Medical Assistance, Legal Services, Marketing & Travel Related Services, Media, Technology & Reservations Systems, Trade Shows, Visa and Passport Services.

==External Links==

⚫
==References==
{{reflist}}

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.
[edit]
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