Now heading into the final quarter of the calendar year, it’s the end of the summer vacation period and the season of getting back down to business. Near the end of this quarter, Dec. 2-6, the U.S. Tour Operators Association will hold its Annual Conference and Marketplace at the JW Marriott in Los Angeles.

If you haven’t purchased your ticket yet, don’t sweat it. It’s sold out. It’s not a small conference, but it is limited in size. USTOA is the rare exception in the business world of an entity that does not seek growth.

The association limits its participation to what it sees as manageable levels. The conference gathers roughly 800 travel industry professionals for a few days of intense focus on current travel issues, as well as the pleasures and possibilities Read the rest of this entry »

Chameleon Travel Shop is making the lives of travel agents easier when planning trips to Europe, South America, Australia, and New Zealand!

Chameleon Travel Shop (CTS) started in Atlanta, Georgia in 2015 by global tourism veteran Joseph Walker who has held executive roles in inbound tourism in the USA, Italy, Brazil, and beyond.  Stemming from Joseph’s earliest travel background, when he was a guide in Italy, he learned that travel is about making connections and experiencing destinations in a more authentic manner. When guests become travelers Read the rest of this entry »

Tour operator Goway is expanding its Middle East travel options with the launch of travel products in Qatar. Goway has long been a supporter of Qatar Airways and is excited to extend its offerings to include vacation packages throughout Qatar, one of the world’s emerging destinations.

Goway is ready to help travelers explore this oasis on the gulf with a range of travel products, including city tours of the rapidly-growing capital, Doha, which combines historic charm with man-made islands and towering skyscrapers that befit a rising star of the 21st century. Travelers can go dune bashing through the desert and visit the inland sea of Khar al Adaid, or relax along the country’s pristine beaches, including at the resorts and waterparks of Abu Samra. Qatar is also an ideal stopover option, which takes advantage of the many air routes of Qatar Airways, one of the world’s leading luxury airlines. Travelers can stop over for a few nights in Qatar en route to vacations in the Maldives, South Africa, Kenya, and Egypt, among other leading destinations.

It’s the perfect time to launch travel ideas to Qatar as the Arabian nation prepares for its time in the spotlight during the 2022 FIFA World Cup this fall. Both the Canadian and American national teams have qualified, making Qatar even more attractive to North American travelers this fall.

“Travel to the Middle East has been a strength for Goway over the past few years, including during the pandemic,” says Moira Smith, VP of Africa & Asia at Goway. “Thus, it’s only natural that we add Qatar to our portfolio of Middle East travel products. It’s a destination that offers cultural highlights in addition to some remarkable natural landscapes. It’s also hosting the World Cup this fall, which adds to the appeal. Add in the fact that travelers can see Qatar on a stopover to other fabulous destinations around the world with Qatar Airways and you’ve got all the makings of a new classic travel experience with Goway.”

Since 1970, Goway has been providing unforgettable travel experiences to Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Idyllic Island destinations, Central & South America and Europe. Today Goway is recognized as one of North America’s leading travel companies for individuals, families, and groups to select exotic destinations around the globe. Goway has offices in Toronto, Vancouver, Los Angeles, Manila, and Sydney, Australia.

To learn more about Goway’s product line to Qatar, visit goway.com

After a year of being pent up, the Great Release is upon us, and now it seems sudden. Things are opening faster than predicted just a few months ago.

In March 2020, the COVID pandemic submerged us in the exponential growth of new infections and, before we could comprehend what was happening, we were virtually imprisoned, taking shelter to save our lives. We settled in and got used to being confined. Now the release is happening all around us. And it seems to be happening faster than almost anyone expected.

The demand for travel is, unsurprisingly, going through the roof. But to say “it’s complicated” is to vastly understate the circumstances. World travel now is an extremely tangled web. Read the rest of this entry »