Want more free time? Take a tour
That seemingly contradictory premise is now being promoted by the US Tour Operators Association which says most Americans don’t realize that they “can often have the same freedom and flexibility by letting an expert tour operator or travel agent do the work for them.”
“A consumer survey conducted for the U.S. Tour Operators Association (USTOA) revealed that more than 75 percent of Americans prefer to make their own travel arrangements,” the group says.
The group cited several examples of tours from USTOA members where free time ranged from 25 to 100 percent.
The 100 percent destination was Paris “with total flexibility on Go Ahead Tours’ ‘Paris City Stay’ vacation packages,” priced from US$1,795 per person. The 9 day/7 night packages included round-trip airfare from Boston of New York City, hotel accommodations, breakfast daily, arrival and departure transfers and the services of a bilingual tour director.
“Travelers tailor their own vacation with a selection of optional day and evening excursions which can be added at additional cost,” according to USTOA.
By David Wilkening
David
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive