United States Tour Operators Association

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]

United States Tour Operators Association
IndustryTravel
Founded1972
HeadquartersNew York, New York
Area served
North America
Members143 (February 2024)
Websitewww.ustoa.com

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

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
  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
  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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