Latest in packaged travel: wine tasting and theatre tours
Experiental travel is getting more popular than ever, according to United States Tour Operator Assocation (USTOA) President Bob Whitley.
He makes the point that today’s tour operators offer special visits and experiences that even the most sophisticated traveler would be unable to book privately.
Recent offerings from USTOA members include private wind-producing villas in Tuscany and private cooking classes in Provence and Sicily.
Groups of young people can meet their peers from all over the world, while bike riding, whitewater rafting, and hitting the clubs in various offers from Contiki Tours.
There are also after-hours museum visits, meals in private settings and even offers to tour a palace from Tauck World Discovery and others.
USTOA members are required to meet the travel industry’s highest standards, according to Mr Whitley, including participation in the association’s Travelers Assistance Program.
The program requires, among other things, that each company set aside $1 Million security to protect consumers’ payments in the event the company goes out of business.
Report by David Wilkening
David
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