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

Year Founded

1972

What is USTOA?

A national organization of wholesale tour operators in the U.S.

What is a Tour Operator?

An entity whose primary purpose is to plan, arrange and market tours and/or vacation packages featuring domestic and/or worldwide destinations. The cost of such tour and vacation packages generally includes air and/or land transportation, ground arrangements such as accommodations, meals, local guides and other related services. The tour and vacation packages are commissionable to retail travel agents, who, in turn, sell the product to the public.

USTOA Offices

275 Madison Avenue, Suite 2014 New York, NY 10016
(212) 599-6599
Fax: (212) 599-6744
e-mail: information@ustoa.com

USTOA Web Address

www.ustoa.com, www.ustoa.travel

USTOA's Mission

Inform the travel industry, government agencies and the public about tour operators' activities and objectives.
Educate consumers on matters pertaining to tours and vacation packages.
Help consumers recoup financial loss arising from an Active Member's bankruptcy or insolvency.
Help maintain a high level of professionalism within the tour operator industry.
Represent the tour operator community and cooperate with other trade organizations and government agencies.
Facilitate and encourage tourism on a worldwide basis.

USTOA's 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.

Total USTOA Membership

More than 740 members

Membership Categories

Active: 46 members, representing more than 134 brand names
Associate: 240 members
Allied: 452 members

Active Members' Total Sales Volume

More than $9 billion

Total Passengers Carried by Active Members

More than 11 million

Membership Requirements

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.
Must be in business at least three years under same ownership and/or management.
Must meet specific minimums in terms of passengers and/or sales volume.
Must carry minimum $1,000,000 of professional Travel Agent/Tour Operator liability insurance, with worldwide coverage.
Must 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

Organizations, common carriers and suppliers of tour products and services, other entities connected with travel not directly serving travelers on tour itineraries.

Allied Members

Carriers (other than common carriers) and suppliers whose products or services bring them into contact with travelers on tour itineraries; also trade press, media, public relations firms, and advertising agencies.