United States Tour Operators Association
{{Infobox company
| name = United States Tour Operators Association
| logo = USTOA Corp Logo.jpg
| size =
| foundation = 1972
| location = New York, New York
| homepage = {{URL|https://www.ustoa.com/}}
| industry = Travel
| area_served = North America
| members = 143
| members_year = February 2024
}}
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.
Overview
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,{{Cite web|url=http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/how-can-find-the-right-tour-operator.html?id=3810934|title=How Can I Find the Right Tour Operator?|date=9 November 2009}} and its standards and work in this area have earned USTOA the endorsement of the United States Government's Consumer Action Handbook.{{Cite web|url=http://www.consumeraction.gov/trade.shtml|title=Official Guide to Government Information and Services | USAGov}}
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.{{Cite web |title=Travel Industry Reacts to U.S. Ending COVID-19 Testing Rule |url=https://www.travelmarketreport.com/News/articles/Travel-Industry-Reacts-to-US-Ending-COVID-19-Testing-Rule |access-date=2025-03-25 |website=www.travelmarketreport.com}}{{cite web|url=https://bcsbuscharter.com/new-york-charter-bus-rental|title=New York Charter Bus|access-date=8 February 2024}}
Membership
USTOA's membership consists of companies that must meet a number of ethical and financial criteria,http://blmc.enr-corp.com/onlineclips/21185/21185_72303087.pdf {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.travelmole.com/stories/1115818.php|title=US tour operators form committee to define responsible tourism-13 February, 2007|access-date=2010-09-20|archive-date=2011-07-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723173152/http://www.travelmole.com/stories/1115818.php|url-status=dead}} 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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.travelpulse.com/Resources/Editorial.aspx?n=59535|title=TravelPulse: Travel News, Information and Offers}}{{Cite web |title=USTOA's Consumer Protection Plan |url=http://madeinatlantis.com/travel/ustoa_protection_plan.htm |access-date=2025-03-25 |website=madeinatlantis.com}} 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,{{cite web|url=https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/ustoa-reveals-2024-leadership-at-annual-conference/|title=USTOA reveals 2024 leadership at annual conference|website=Travel And Tour World|date=7 December 2023|access-date=8 February 2024}} Viking Cruises, Windstar Cruises{{cite web|url=https://www.travelagentcentral.com/cruises/windstar-cruises-joins-ustoa|title=Windstar Cruises Joins USTOA|date=18 March 2021|website=Travel Agent Central|author-first=Matt|author-last=Turner|access-date=8 February 2024}} and WorldStrides.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://ustoa.com/}}
- [https://www.allworld.com/ All World Travel]
{{Authority control}}
Category:Tourism in the United States
Category:Traveling business organizations
Category:Organizations established in 1972
Category:Organizations based in New York City