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United States Tour Operators Association

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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

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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

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  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.
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