Associations That Matter
When you choose a tour company to travel with your group, you are beginning a long-term relationship. You are entrusting that company and its staff with your students, your families’ money, their safety and an important part of your group’s overall experience. That decision deserves more consideration than simply comparing the bottom-line price.
They say you can learn a lot about a person by the company they keep. The same applies to businesses - whom do they associate with? Here at GTC, we are very proud and honored to be associated with some of the best associations in the business.
Proud Members Of:
As a member of the Student & Youth Travel Association, we are part of the leading organization dedicated exclusively to student and youth travel. SYTA promotes safe, educational, and professionally managed travel experiences while providing valuable resources that help ensure students enjoy meaningful learning opportunities beyond the classroom.
Membership in the National Tour Association connects us with one of North America's premier organizations for packaged travel professionals. Through NTA, we maintain relationships and continuing education with trusted destinations, attractions, hotels, and suppliers that allow us to create customized travel experiences while delivering exceptional value to our clients.
Long before Google reviews and Yelp listings, the Better Business Bureau ensured consumers that a company lived up to the highest standards for ethics in their business practices.
At GTC, we are and have been proud members of the BBB for 20 years and are proud to have acheived the status of A+ Accredited with the Better Business Bureau.
Industry Knowledge
The travel industry is constantly evolving. Through our professional associations, we stay informed about changing regulations, safety recommendations, transportation standards, educational opportunities, and destination developments so your group receives current, knowledgeable guidance every step of the way.
Strong Industry Relationships
Our memberships connect us with trusted hotels, attractions, transportation providers, performance venues, and tourism professionals across the country. These long-standing relationships help us identify dependable partners who share our commitment to quality and exceptional service.
Commitment to Ethical Practices
Our clients place tremendous trust in us when planning their trips. We take that responsibility seriously. Our professional affiliations reinforce our dedication to honesty, transparency, financial responsibility, and exceptional customer service from your first conversation until your group returns home.
Advocacy for Group Travel
Many of the organizations we belong to actively advocate for the group travel industry, student travel, music education, tourism, and traveler safety. Their work helps strengthen the travel experiences available to groups nationwide while promoting best practices throughout the industry.
Before You Choose a Tour Company, Do Your Homework
Talk to other directors and group leaders. Ask as many experienced group leaders as you can about their experiences. Were they completely satisfied with the entire process—from planning and communication to travel and the company’s response when something unexpected happened? Don't ask only about the price. Ask about the experience.
- Read their reviews. Take a few minutes to search for the company online and read what their clients have said. Look for patterns in the reviews. Were clients happy with communication, organization, transportation, accommodations, and how problems were handled?
- Ask for references. Ask the tour company to provide references from other group leaders who have traveled with them. While a company will naturally provide references who had positive experiences, speaking directly with another director can provide valuable insight that an online review simply cannot.
- Find out who will actually be taking care of your students. Ask whether the staff members accompanying or managing your group are full-time employees of the company or independently hired tour guides. There is a significant difference between a company that knows your group and its needs and one that simply assigns someone to meet the bus.
- Verify that the company is properly licensed and insured. Don't be afraid to ask for documentation. Your students' safety should never be something you have to take on faith.
- Read the entire contract. Don't just sign the last page. Read every section and make sure the agreement accurately reflects what you were promised during your conversations with the company. If something in the contract doesn't match what you were told, ask why before you sign.