Travel That Transforms

USTOA is proud to be a Strategic Association Partner of Tourism Cares, a nonprofit organization that works to protect and restore attractions and destinations around the world.

Last year, hundreds of industry professionals gathered to restore, refurbish and replant at four national parks throughout the U.S. This year, Tourism Cares will be spearheading urban renewal projects to revive tourist sites in Oakland, California; Detroit, Michigan; Providence, Rhode Island; and Toronto, Canada.

Many of our tour operator members also offer programs that let travelers participate in community-driven efforts as well as programs that provide immersive, transformative travel experiences.

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The ME to WE Foundation, a charitable organization, offers programs in conjunction with a number of USTOA members that enable travelers to leave positive footprints at the destinations they visit.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection features a ME to WE India five-day Pre-Trip Extension, which is available on the company’s 13-day “Golden Triangle & the Sacred Ganges” river cruise. Travelers will work alongside local families in the Rajasthan region on a community development project in partnership with WE Charity. Departures are available in December 2017 and throughout 2018. Per-person rates for the extension range from $2,075 to $2,850. Visit www.Uniworld.com.

Lion World Travel’s ME to WE “Volunteer Adventure to Kenya” program will enable travelers to positively impact a Maasai Mara community. Participants will help build a new school with the area’s indigenous people and join the women of the Maasai and Kispigis communities to learn the craft of beading. Available year-round, the program can be booked as an extension to another East Africa itinerary or as a custom trip. Per-person rates start at $2,195. Visit www.lionworldtravel.com.

During Trafalgar’s “Secrets of Myanmar” itinerary, travelers will take part in a traditional lamp lighting ceremony at the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon and become acquainted with three generations of family members over a home-cooked meal in Bagan. Guests will also participate in cooking classes using vegetables they gather for a traditional lunch. The program is available Nov. 29-Dec. 9 and Dec 20-30. Per-person rates start at $3,150. Visit www.trafalgar.com.

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Travelers participating in Tauck’s 13-day “Essence of Japan” itinerary will learn how to make sushi and attend workshops on Japanese flower arranging, ceramics and glassblowing. The trip also includes a traditional tea ceremony, a sumo wrestling demonstration and a sake tasting. Per-person rates start at $9,990. Departures are available in August, September, October and November. Visit www.tauck.com.

“Many of our tour operator members offer programs that enable travelers to participate in community-driven efforts as well as programs that provide immersive, transformative travel experiences.”

For more information about tours and packaged vacations, visit www.ustoa.com. And, remember that when booking with USTOA Active Members, you also get the assurance of knowing that they are held to the highest standards in the industry with our $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program.