smarTours Shutters Operations, Exits USTOA
by Dori Saltzman
Effective Jan. 31, tour operator smarTours ceased operations and is no longer a member of USTOA. As such, the company no longer participates in the USTOA’s $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program.
“Travel advisors should be aware that purchases of smarTours products made on or prior to January 31, 2025 may be protected under the USTOA $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program. Client deposits and payments made thereafter will not be covered by the USTOA program,” advised USTOA president and CEO Terry Dale.
Passengers who lost deposits or payments made on or prior to Jan. 31, 2025 for travel with smarTours may be eligible to file claims for nonperformance of their tour under the Travelers Assistance Program. The claim form and procedure can be found at ustoa.com/travelers-assistance/smartours.
smarTours, which was founded in 1996 and joined the USTOA in 2015, provided group tours to destinations around the world.
