As part of an effort to promote the tour sector to the traveling public, the U.S. Tour Operators Association on Tuesday launched a consumer marketing campaign called “Travel Together,” aimed at exhibiting the experiential aspects of touring.
The campaign launched with a new blog, and with a series of travel videos produced by Kelley Ferro of Tripfilms in conjunction with Afar magazine.
Ferro and Afar writers and bloggers are traveling to various destinations with tour operators and documenting their experiences. Their stories can be found on YouTube and at www.ustoa.com/travel-together. Their experiences are also being tweeted using the hashtag #traveltogether and are being posted on Facebook.
“Travel Together provides insider looks at travelers sharing singular experiences to meet with shopkeepers, learn how to make native foods, share a meal with a family in their home, see how carpets are woven, explore the backroads and even visit local schools, among so many others, because of the access provided by USTOA members,” USTOA CEO Terry Dale said in a news release.
As part of the Travel Together campaign launch, USTOA has partnered with Worldwide Traveler and Delta to give travelers the opportunity to win a trip to England via Facebook. More details can be found here.
The first two trips that were documented for the campaign were to Egypt and South Africa. Ferro and Afar ambassador Alison Cornford-Matheson traveled to Egypt with Abercrombie & Kent. Ferro and South Africa Afar blogger Nina Dietzel traveled to South Africa with Collette.
Following the June launch, videos and blogs about new destinations visited with USTOA tour operator members will be added monthly, including Australia’s Northern Territory with Goway, Taiwan with Ritz Tours, Croatia with VBT Bicycling & Walking Vacations and Delta, Manitoba with Tauck and Colombia with Avanti Destinations.
Added Dale, “That is really the heart and soul of why we travel: to share experiences with travel companions and make connections with the native people in the local markets, restaurants, museums, sites and attractions visited.”
USTOA is encouraging members to get the word out about the new campaign by sharing blog posts, videos, Facebook and Twitter updated with followers, clients, and travel agents using the hashtag #traveltogether.