8 Resources for Our Incredible Travel Advisor Partners

Travel advisors are critical partners to the tour operator members of USTOA. According to the most recent member survey, nearly nine out 10, or 88%, of USTOA tour operators plan to work with travel advisors in 2021 to generate sales.

USTOA has built curriculum with the needs of travel advisors in mind, offering inspiration, tools, and support. Here are the top eight resources for travel advisors:

1. Find New Itineraries – Visit ustoa.stridetravel.com to access a database of USTOA member tours. Using the search tool, enter any relevant keywords to discover itineraries that could be a match for your client. Filters can also be set to search for tours by length, price, and location.
2. Utilize The Active Member Directory – Are you wondering if a tour operator you’re working with is an Active Member of USTOA and participating in the $1 Million Traveler’s Assistance Program? Search the company name in the online Active Member Directory.
3. Listen In On A Webinar – Tune in on one of our Travel Advisor Webinars hosted by USTOA’s members, each offering insight into hot destinations and travel trends. Upcoming topics include: VP panel series from Goway, an informative session on Germany’s Heritage Cities, and more.
4. Read The Travel Blog – The USTOA Travel Blog publishes blog posts written by tour operator members, who share their expertise on a wide variety of travel-related topics. From REAL ID updates to packing hacks and first-person storytelling, the blog is a source of inspiration and information.
5. Sign-Up for the Newsletter – Sign-up for the Travel Advisor Newsletter to receive news and updates from USTOA.
6. Learn About Health & Sanitization Guidelines - In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, USTOA has released a set of health and sanitization guidelines specifically for tour operators. The TOURCARES Guidelines were developed in partnership with the Canadian Association of Tour Operators (CATO) and the European Tourism Association (ETOA) to provide uniform guidelines for our combined membership, suppliers, and, yes, even passengers. After all, travel is a shared experience and each part of a packaged tour has a responsibility to keep fellow travelers and the communities they visit safe.
7. Ensure Trip Protection - The $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program protects your trip when you book with a USTOA tour operator. Companies must qualify for the program to become a member, which, among other requirements, stipulates that in the case of a company’s bankruptcy or insolvency, all your clients’ tour payments are protected up to an aggregate of $1 million dollars.
8. Give Your Clients Peace of Mind – When you book a trip for your client with a USTOA tour operator, travelers will have access to local guides and experts that offer unparalleled access and assistance.

About the Author

As president and CEO of USTOA, Terry Dale is a global leader in travel and tourism. A sought-after speaker addressing travel and leadership audiences around the world, he serves as an advocate and ambassador for USTOA and the industry at large. He is guiding USTOA “50 years forward” focusing on the most pressing issues of sustainability and DEI during the association’s milestone 50th anniversary year.