Premier World Discovery Becomes a Member of USTOA

Premier World Discovery, specialists in worldwide guided group travel, has announced it has joined The United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) as its newest tour operator member.

The new membership brings the association’s current total to 54 Active Members representing nearly 160 brands.

Terry Dale, president and CEO of USTOA, says the association’s active members are reporting a very strong year and that it is grateful to “see that confidence reflected in the number of potential new members USTOA has in the pipeline.”

Stephen Birkett, co-president and co-owner of Premier World Discovery, also commented on the new addition, saying that the travel group’s membership with USTOA solidifies its image as a financially solid and trusted travel provider among travel partners, travel agents and future travelers with the $1 million Traveler Assistance Program. He went on to add that over the past 18 years, Premier World Discovery has saw significant growth and now offers more than 75 fully guided worldwide travel itineraries visiting more than 50 countries in six different continents. To date, the group has serviced more than 100,000 passengers on worldwide travel experiences, and Birkett says it will continue to introduce new destinations and guided experiences.

USTOA was founded in 1972 by a small group of California tour operators concerned about tour operator bankruptcies. The founding members recognized the need to protect the traveling public, as well as to represent the interests of tour operators. In 1975, USTOA became a national organization with headquarters in New York. Later in 1976 it became the first travel organization to establish a consumer protection fund, followed by a $100,000 per member bonding requirement to protect consumers' tour deposits and payments in case of bankruptcy or cessation of business. 

Visit www.ustoa.com