U.S. Tour Operators Revamps Website for Travel Agents

The U.S. Tour Operators Association upgraded its website to help travel agents plan vacations through the association’s member tour operators. The newly revamped USTOA web site --www.ustoa.com or www.ustoa.travel-- provides a one-stop database on the association’s 150 brands, searchable by destination, activity or type of travel.

The site has a search capability with a new interactive world map with 380 destinations, which allows users to click on a destination and view a list of USTOA member companies serving that area.

Two other drop-down windows provide searches by activity, special interest or attraction -- from adventure to winter sports or archeology to wineries -- or by traveler or vacation type, from student to senior travel, and from beach vacations to safaris. Each menu selection provides links to the corresponding company’s websites.

Travel agents who want to verify whether a company is a USTOA Active Member can key in the company’s name, bringing up a descriptive page with the company’s details, its destinations and programs, as well as a link to the company website. A complete list of USTOA members along with their contact information can also be downloaded.

A Destination Spotlight section profiles a specific country or area, which links to the country’s tourist Mini Travel Guide page. TravelWise and Smart Travel Planning sections provide tips, travel-related quizzes and information, such as how to shop for a tour or vacation package, “Travel Agents: Your Best Bet” and a Travel Glossary. An “About USTOA” section features the organization’s history, member listings, mission and goals, recent activities, and contact information.

The Travel Trade Room provides agent material. Of special interest to travel agents is the website’s Travel Trade Room, where agents can download USTOA’s Travel Agent’s Kit, with brochures such as, “What is USTOA?,” “How to Select a Tour or Vacation Package,” “The Standard for Confident Travel,” “A Traveler’s Glossary,” and a complete Membership Listing. Agents can also play two public service announcements as well as download the scripts and podcasts for their own use.

USTOA member companies participate in the association’s Traveler Assistance Program, which helps protect consumer payments up to $1 million in case the company goes out of business. USTOA is an association of companies providing vacation packages, tours, and custom travel itineraries for more than 11 million people yearly.