United States Tour Operators Association: Smart Travel with Tours and Packages

You are the only one who should decide what you want in a vacation package or tour; however, with a myriad of alternatives in destinations, prices, levels of service and facilities, you need the assistance of a travel agent to help select the package or tour that's right for you.

An experienced travel professional can advise you impartially on what is best suited to your requirements and recommend the programs from which you can make a selection with confidence.

Agents are travel information experts, eminently qualified to pinpoint your dreams, present your choices, and help pick the package that's best for you.

Here's a primer to help you prepare for a productive meeting with your travel agent:

What's your budget? It needn't be hard and fast, but the options are too vast to approach without a figure or a price range in mind.
What kind of experience do you want? Domestic or foreign? A city or the countryside? The mountains or the beach?
What is the focus of the trip? Is it a family trip, where diversions for the children are needed? Is your goal to relax or do you want lots of activity? Do you want to stay put or move around? Would you like to pursue any hobbies?
When do you want to travel? Plan dates-but with some flexibility. Prices change as a destination moves from its high season to a "shoulder" season and then low season.
What type of tour do you want? Are you interested in the comfort of a fully escorted motorcoach tour or cruise? Would you prefer an all-inclusive package with air, or do you lean toward the greater independence of a modular approach?

Search the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) for your local ASTA travel agent.

Search the Travel Institute for your local Certified Travel Professional.