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 default.
Over
the years, the plan has been strengthened in response to changing economic
times. Today, our $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.
But,
USTOA does far more. Through an ongoing public relations campaign and
consumer pamphlets, we educate the traveling public about the benefits
of packaged vacations. We help destinations and travel entities build
tourism through organizing workshops, site inspections, 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 U.S. State Department and other government entities
to facilitate tourism worldwide. |
