A Guide to Hiring a Tour Operator

Why should you use a Tour Operator?

Planning a student/youth group trip takes time, expertise and involves multiple suppliers such as: airlines, motor coach companies, attractions, accommodations and restaurants. An experienced tour operator will seamlessly corrdinate your group’s entire trip-without extra work for you, your school or organization-making all the necessary arrangement to accommodate your trip requests.  Tour operators also ensure that suppliers are in complieance with federal safety standards and can provide proof of better buisness practices that are appropriate to the age of your group.

Work With Reputable Travel Providers:

1. Are they experienced with students to the specific destination you want to travel to?
2. Do they have Professional Liability Insurance?
3. Do they have Consumer Protection?
4. How many years have they been in business/years at that address/years operating under the same name?
5. Do they have a Professional Association membership?

What Consumers Can Do to Protect Themselves:

1. Work with reputable travel providers.
2. Know what you’re paying for.

You can check out your Travel Provider ahead of time:

1. Check with the Better Business Bureau.
2. Check with the Federal Trade Commission.
3. Check with your state’s (U.S.A.) Consumer Protection Office.
4. Check with the Canadian Information Gateway or with Industry Canada’s Strategis website.

Know What You’re Paying For:

1. Who is responsible for the tour - Travel Agent, Tour Operator, Suppliers?
2. Charter vs. commercial airlines: Who is the charter company/airlines?
3. What hotels will you stay at?
4. How much does the travel provider work with that hotel.
5. What meals are included?
6. What restaurants are being used? What are the menus? Are meal times limited? Are there extra meal costs?
7. Ask what is included/not included.
8. What options must you pay for?
9. Get promises in writing from the management of the company.

Check things out before you pay:

1. With Professional Travel Organizations like SYTA, USTOA and NTA.
2. The Better Business Bureau.
3. The State Attorney General’s Office/Consumer Protection Division.
4. Department of Transportation/Public Charter Number (PC#).
5. Hotels & other major suppliers.
6. References to the specific destination you are going.