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
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