Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
carriers with the ground services needed into one package, which can be sold through travel agents to
the consuming public.
Tour operators have not been immune to the effects of online packaging and have been working to
keep pace with this distribution channel. The Internet is ideally suited to feature their tours and
destinations and the Web has become a major sales channel for them.
TOUR WHOLESALER ORGANIZATIONS
The
is an association for travel professionals who have a keen
interest in the packaged travel sector for the industry. Promoting partnering and networking among its
members, the association brings together those who package travel with suppliers and destinations
who represent the various components of a trip. NTA focuses on the development, promotion, and
increased use of tour operator packaged travel. They also serve as a consumer advocate through their
code of ethics, stringent membership requirements, and education.
The association provides marketing assistance, educational programs, governmental representa-
tion, and communications for its membership, and it annually produces the NTA Convention and Tour
and Travel Exchange. This event is one of the largest travel industry gatherings held in North America,
offering members the opportunity to conduct intensive business sessions and attend education
seminars that increase professionalism in the industry. The association also produces the Grass Roots
Symposium, Montage, and Contact. These events provide members with additional opportunities each
year to network and participate in educational programs.
NTA requires its members to adhere to a strict code of ethics that ensures proper business activity
between individual members for the ultimate good of the traveling public. The association acts as the
primary advocate for consumers of the group tour product in North America and works to promote
consumer awareness of that vacation alternative. NTA provides the traveling public protection
through their Consumer Protection Plan. Visit its Web site at
www.ntaonline.com
.
The
National Tour Association
(NTA)
(USTOA) represents the tour operators industry.
They are composed of companies whose tours and packages encompass the entire globe and who
conduct business in the United States. The goals of USTOA are to ensure consumer protection and
education; to inform the travel industry, government agencies, and the public about tour operators
United States Tour Operators Association
'
activities and objectives; to maintain a high level of professionalism within the industry; and to
facilitate travel on a worldwide basis. USTOA
s strict
code of ethics. Members are required to represent all information pertaining to tours, to maintain a
high level of professionalism, and to state clearly all costs and facilities in advertising and promotional
materials. Visit its Web site at
www.ustoa.com
.
Most tour operators and wholesalers belong to the American Society of Travel Agents. Many also
belong to the various promotional groups, such as the Paci
c Asia Travel Association (PATA), the
Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), and USTA (U.S. Travel Association).
'
s members must subscribe to the organization
'
SIGHTSEEING AND RECEPTIVE SERVICE AGENCIES
Local or short tours are conducted by sightseeing companies, and many of them are organized into
American Sightseeing International and Gray Line. These organizations aid sightseeing companies by
providing local sightseeing services and competent personnel. Many sightseeing tour companies are
also af
liated with the organizations already mentioned.
Receptive operators are located across the country and handle inbound package tour business.
Receptive operators advise international tour operators about which itineraries and travel experiences
will work best for their clients. Once the best itinerary has been determined the receptive operator will
organize the countless details to make the client
'
s trip successful. They typically meet the needs of any
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