Select Traveler November December 2020 by The Group Travel Leader, Inc.

THE MAGAZINE FOR BANK, ALUMNI AND CHAMBER TRAVEL PLANNERS

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THRIVING THEATERS | COLORADO COLLAGE | TRAVELING SAFELY

TRAVEL

ALLIANCE

PARTNERS 2021 PREVIEW ISSUE

THE

tide will turn

PANAMA CITY BEACH NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

DISCOVER THE DIFFERENCE Patee H ous

seum National Mu Pony Express

Walter Cronkite M emor

Pony Express Statue

ping Unique Shop

St. Joseph currently has a face-covering order in place that may be modified or extended. #VisitStJoSafely

e Museu

ial

Located on the scenic river bluffs of the vast “Mighty MO”, St. Joseph, Missouri is a notable American city with a fascinating heritage, born of the fur trade, nurtured by the “Westward Expansion”, and brimming with a spirit of adventure as the starting place of the Pony Express, “Ole’ St. Joe is a city you and your group will never forget. St. Joseph is home to 13 distinctive museums, 12 annual festivals, amazing architecture listed on the National Register of Historic Places and personalized itineraries custom made with home-town hospitality. Also enjoy goodie bags for groups and personal welcome from a St. Joseph representative. JUST AROUND THE CORNER Located at the crossroads of Interstate 29 and MO Highway 36 and only 30 minutes from North Kansas City puts St. Joseph within easy driving distance of over 17 metropolitan areas. Reming ton Nat ure Cen ter

For tour ideas, contact: Gracia Pinzino, Group Sales Manager stjomo.com/grouptour | 800-785-0360 | gpinzino@stjomo.com

THE MAGAZINE FOR BANK, ALUMNI AND CHAMBER TRAVEL PLANNERS

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VOL.28 NO.6

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

CONFERENCE PREVIEW: PANAMA CITY BEACH

contents publisher’s COLUMN

MAC T. LACY CHARLES A. PRESLEY BRIAN JEWELL ELIZA MYERS HERBERT SPARROW DONIA SIMMONS ASHLEY RICKS CHRISTINE CLOUGH RENA BAER KELLY TYNER KYLE ANDERSON MELISSA RILEY

planners checking in:

TALK BACK

SHERRI LUND

toolbox:

Courtesy Visit Panama City Beach

ON THE COVER: Relaxation goes at the top of the to-do list on a trip to Panama City Beach. Photo courtesy Visit Panama City Beach.

where

SAFE WE’VE BEEN TRAVELS

7 12 14 43 KYLE ANDERSON

888.253.0455

DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING SALES

K YLE@ GROUPTR AVELLE ADER.COM

Founder and Publisher Partner VP & Executive Editor Associate Editor Senior Writer Creative Director Graphic Designer/Circulation Manager Copy Editor Proofreader VP, Sales and Marketing Director of Advertising Sales Accounting Manager

selecttraveler.com

16 theaters centennial 20 REOPENING

COLORADO

25 TAP

TRAVEL GUIDE

Select Traveler, the Magazine for Bank, Alumni and Chamber Travel Planners, is published bimonthly by The Group Travel Leader, Inc., 301 East High Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40507 and is distributed free of charge to qualified travel program directors throughout the United States. All other travel suppliers, including tour operators, destinations, attractions, transportation companies, hotels, restaurants and other travel-related companies, may subscribe to Select Traveler by sending a check for $49 for one year to: Select Traveler, Circulation Department, 301 East High Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40507. Copyright The Group Travel Leader, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of editorial or graphic content in any manner without the written consent of the publisher is prohibited. NAME OR ADDRESS CHANGES: If your copy of Select Traveler should be mailed to another manager in your organization, or if you personally know another travel director who is not receiving Select Traveler, please send your correction to: Select Traveler, 301 East High St., Lexington, Kentucky 40507, or call (859) 253-0455.

Restart Your Travel Plans with Tourism Navigator

f you’re ready to plan group trips again, Tourism Navigator is the place to start. The coronavirus pandemic and resulting government regulations have made group travel planning a complicated mess. Tourism Navigator helps you find critical information to plan successful trips to the places you want to go. And best of all, it’s 100% free. Created by The Group Travel Leader, Tourism Navigator is a one-stop source for important opening and operational information from hundreds of destinations, hotels, attractions and restaurants around the country. The coronavirus crisis brought a lot of upheaval to the tourism industry. Many sales professionals who worked at CVBs, hotels and attractions for years are no longer there, and the tour operators and group leaders who relied on them for help planning group trips are not sure who to turn to now. Additionally, pandemic-related restrictions have been implemented at state and local levels, which means there is no uniformity for travel planners. And for those organizing trips to multiple destinations, finding current information on what is open and available is difficult, if not impossible. “We’ve been talking closely with tour operators and other travel planners since the crisis began in March,” said Kelly Tyner, vice president of sales for The Group Travel Leader. “Many of them are interested in restarting their travel programs, but they’re having trouble finding current group sales contacts or deciphering which destinations are open or closed. Tourism Navigator solves both those problems.” When you visit Tourism Navigator, you’ll be able to search for information from the leading group tour destinations and attractions in the country. For each one, you’ll get current contact information, including the

name, phone number and email address of the person there responsible for group sales. The Tourism Navigator listings also have up-to-date information on openings, closures and travel restrictions that apply to destinations, attractions, cruises lines and other travel companies. In addition, many detail the steps they are taking to keep visitors safe. “The organizations that have uploaded information on Tourism Navigator are the ones who are most eager to welcome groups back,” Tyner said. “They have done a lot of work to put health and safety protocols in place, and they want to make sure you have all the tools you need to start bringing your travelers back to visit them again.” To access this critical information and begin planning your group’s return to travel, visit Tourism Navigator at grouptravelleader.com/navigator. Travel industry representatives who want to include information to Tourism Navigator can submit information at grouptravelleader.com/listing.

Search for information from the leading group tour destinations and attractions in the country.

Plan your group’s return to travel at:

GROUPTRAVELLEADER.COM/NAVIGATOR

perspective P U B L I S H E R ’ S

eave it to our readers to identify the evolutionary trends that will characterize group travel as a result of the crippling effects of the pandemic of 2020. At our breakout session at the Select Traveler Conference, which took place in August in French Lick, Indiana, veteran planners showed a startling consistency in their insights when answering the

questions we posed. When we asked what the lasting effects of this immeasurably disruptive year would be, the groups of four to five travel planners, who distanced themselves from one another across a dozen tables, agreed on these five new realities when group travel picks up: • Travel groups will continue to become more personal as group members increasingly know each other on their trips. • Prices will likely increase, since the smaller groups will be spreading shared costs such as transportation among fewer people. • The pace of a trip will slow as travelers will need to spend more time in any given venue or site due to the necessity for more hygiene practices. • The practice of combining groups by tour operators will become less common because many people will not want to travel with people they don’t know. • Trips will sell out earlier due to smaller head counts and travelers’ desire to know each other when they sign up. I say this every year, but it’s continually the case: These small group discussions held at the Select Traveler Conference are a real source of grassroots intelligence that you can take to the bank. (No pun intended.) If you’d like a copy of the overall summary of these breakouts, send me an email at the address below, and I’ll send one to you.

Email me anytime with your thoughts at maclacy@grouptravelleader.com.

Mac Lacy 6

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P L A N N E R S

T A L K

B A C K

what technique for finding new travelers has been the most successful? KELLY PETICOLAS

PRINCIPIA LIFELONG LEARNING ELSAH, ILLINOIS “The diversity of our programs has attracted a younger demographic. We often see our older alumni bring their adult children. That has helped increase our exposure. Our travelers are having such a great time on these trips that word spreads. We also send two print mailings a year, in the fall and spring, that promote our upcoming trips. I run an on-campus two-week summer session for a continuing education program every June. We do a lot of promotion during that event.”

LAURIE STAUS

CENTRAL BANK OF SEDALIA SEDALIA, MISSOURI “I think having travelers that talk about their experience with family and friends is a great way to get new travelers. I’ve had people say they would never do group travel; but once they experience being with a group and make those friendships, they end up being repeat customers. Doing travel shows to let the customers know what is involved in group travel gives them a better understanding of the experience. That also gets a lot of customers signed up.”

Travel ☼ Thoughtfully Designed ☼ ☼ Delightfully Executed ☼

TAMMY MCCULLARS

APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY BOONE, NORTH CAROLINA “It is mostly word-of-mouth. We treat our travelers as part of the Appalachian family, whether they are alumni or the many friends of alumni we have garnered. We also, of course, use our regular alumni Facebook, along with separate travel Facebook accounts; targeted and broadcast emails; Flickr; and other social media outlets. The Facebook travel account is mostly used while on tour to post pictures and messages to let the families and friends at home know their loved ones are having fun and are being taken care of.”

MADDIE STOJANOVIC

FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF FORT SMITH FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS “In 2019, we released the Refer a Friend program in the Prestige Platinum Club and have received great feedback and participation since. The program encourages our current members to invite their friends to both travel with our group and to become members themselves. I truly love group travel because of the friendships that are made, and that bond only grows when our customers bring their friends to join the fun.”

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888-55-TRIPS

www.gotripsinc.com selecttraveler.com 7

C O N F E R E N C E

connection

A SUNNY OUTLOOK

RESTART YOUR TRAVEL PROGRAM IN PANAMA CITY BEACH

Panama City Beach’s coastline

BY DAN DICKSON

egions of folks were cooped up all spring and summer due to COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions and may now be dreaming of a well-deserved Florida vacation. Some will head far south to sample Miami’s cultural diversions or visit one of the many delightful midsize cities along the east or west coasts of the state. Others will jostle with the crowds for time and space in Orlando at its famed amusement parks and attractions. But if you take just a moment to investigate it, there’s a lucky find located in the northwest panhandle of Florida that reminds many of the Sunshine State’s traditional vacation pleasures. Panama City Beach has 27 miles of blinding white sand beaches, 300-plus days of sunshine each year, far less congestion than some other Florida spots and affordable prices that make vacationing there a good choice for individuals or families. And travel planners for banks, university alumni clubs, chambers of commerce and other high-end organizations will discover Panama City Beach for themselves when the city hosts the Select Traveler Conference, February 28-March 2, 2021. “We are a different type of Florida,” said Renee Wuerdeman, vice president of sales for Visit Panama City Beach, the local

selecttraveler.com

convention and visitors bureau. “We have a more laid-back, old Florida type of vibe. It’s less crowded, slower and more relaxed, but there is something to do here for every type of visitor.” Many like the fact that the Florida Panhandle and Panama City Beach, in particular, are an easy drive from states to the north and west. Travelers from Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, for example, can quickly get to a Florida beach without having to drive hundreds of miles farther south. The area is served with daily commercial air service thanks to Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, which is an easy 15-minute drive from the beaches. Florida’s portion of the Intracoastal Waterway, an inland channel that runs along the coastlines of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, brings thousands of boaters to the area’s many marinas. These fun-loving folks would much rather cruise in than drive or fly. This area has the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrew Bay at its front porch. And visitors can have it their way when they visit. The city’s western beaches are quieter and more relaxed with fewer condos and beach homes. Some of the favorite spots in the area are St. Andrews State Park Beach, Camp St. Helen State Park Beach, Shell Island and a 400-foot sandy, pet-friendly

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Sheraton Panama City Beach Golf and Spa Resort’s lobby

Sheraton Panama City Beach Golf and Spa Resort’s exterior

Gulf World Marine Park

The Nicklaus Course All photos courtesy Visit Panama City Beach

“PEOPLE STARTED COMING BACK HERE BECAUSE THEY KNEW WE WOULD NOT BE PACKED TO THE GILLS LIKE OTHER WELL-KNOWN FLORIDA DESTINATION CITIES. HERE YOU DON’T HAVE THE HEAVY TRAFFIC AND ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND CAN HAVE A SPECIAL KIND OF EXPERIENCE.”

— RENEE WUERDEMAN, VISIT PANAMA CITY BEACH

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stretch known as Doggie Beach. The east beach area has more amusement and water parks, attractions like the 180-foot-high SkyWheel, outstanding shopping and major chain hotels. It is where people go when they want to be right in the thick of things. “When the travel bans were lifted in various parts of the country, people wanted to go to the beach, to have fun and do all the things those families enjoy doing, like going to attractions and local restaurants,” said Wuerdeman. “But they didn’t want the crowds. People started coming back here because they knew we would not be packed to the gills like other well-known Florida destination cities. Here you don’t have the heavy traffic and road construction and can have a special kind of experience.”

FISHING AND WATER ACTIVITIES

If there is one thing for which Panama City Beach is famous, it is fishing. Rookies and old pros can equally enjoy the many saltwater and freshwater fishing options in the area. Some fish from the shore or from a dock or pier; others go after the big ones and cast their lines into the deep sea from charter boats.

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C O N F E R E N C E

connection “Around the country, we are known for all of that,” said Wuerdeman. “People love to fish in various seasons when certain fish proliferate. Snapper season is huge. This year it was in June and July. Fishing cruises and charters are booked heavily.” When you charter a boat or join a fishing cruise, you typically get your catch cleaned for you when you climb off the boat. Then you can take it to one of the area’s “hook and cook” eateries. “The kitchen staff will prepare it for you and serve it as part of your meal,” Wuerdeman said. “That’s very popular here.” Panama City Beach is home to a popular fishing and coastal lifestyle show on the Discovery Channel called “Chasin’ the Sun.” The Saturday morning show’s hosts take fishing enthusiasts on board for excursions offshore, inshore, up and down creeks, under bridges — pretty much anywhere you can go to reel in a fish. One of the fishing guides is Capt. Justin Leake, who was born and raised around these waters. “There’s a never-ending supply of fishing activities here yearround,” said Leake. “We do a lot of natural reef, coastal and migration fishing and also do blue water fishing starting at 50 miles offshore.” Leake’s fishing guide company, Panama City Inshore, can take anglers anywhere they want to go to catch whatever they like. Other water-related activities that visitors and locals crave include swimming, floating, rafting and sliding through the 3 million-gallon watery maze called Shipwreck Island Water Park. Renting Jet Skis, pontoons, airboats, paddleboards, kayaks and other watercraft is popular. Many visitors head to Shell Island, where they can swim with one of the world’s highest concentrations of bottlenose dolphins. Other adventurers go deep diving to examine old shipwrecks and to visit the area’s newest artificial reef. Everyone gets to enjoy the fascinating wildlife hidden beneath the waves. Getting above it all is exciting too, so adrenaline junkies will strap in and lift off for a parasail experience that gives them a whole new perspective of the area. Panama City Beach has gotten into the sports travel business in a big way with the opening of its new $37 million sports complex. Now, youth and adult sports teams and their traveling families can come to Panama City Beach and play hard on the fields or courts and then have loads of fun afterward.

Workers shuck oysters at The Southern.

Shopping at Panama City Beach

Shipwreck Island Water Park

The complex books soccer, baseball, softball, football, lacrosse and rugby teams to use its nine turf fields, four natural grass fields and tournament buildings. There is seating for up to 1,500 fans to watch the action. “It’s beautiful, and it has been wildly popular,” said the CVB’s Wuerdeman. “As soon as the coronavirus travel bans were lifted, the sports groups began coming in. Teams of soccer and softball players have been the most visible. With advance bookings, it looks like 2021 will be an amazing year for the operators of the sports complex.”

MEETINGS AND OVERNIGHTS

Panama City Beach is also a great spot for meetings, and the annual Select Traveler Conference will be staged at the Sheraton Panama City Beach Golf and Spa Resort. A trip to this portion of Florida should be a welcome respite for delegates who are winter weary. “We are excited and looking forward to introducing our area to so many Select Traveler planners who come to the conference,” said Wuerdeman. “We believe we have a lot to offer a trip planner who may not have thought of using us before.”

Scuba diving

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Sheraton Panama City Beach Golf and Spa Resortâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pool

Altogether, Panama City Beach has about 17,300 rooms available for travelers, and they cover every taste in accommodations, including resorts, hotels, town homes, condos and villas. Families or multiple families may rent a large beach home for a few days or weeks at a time. Prices vary for places to stay, but vacationers can find what they like whether they are budget conscious or have deep pockets. Visitpanamacitybeach.com lists all available accommodations, or the curious can just do their own research. Locals wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t soon forget the Category 5 hurricane named Michael that whipped ashore in October 2018, doing widespread harm. Panama City Beach suffered damage but was spared the worst of the storm compared with some nearby communities. Two years later, there are only a few signs of the damage remaining, and residents are again welcoming tourists back by the thousands. The beaches, rental units, restaurants, amusement parks and other attractions have essentially returned to normal.

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selecttraveler.com

checking in SHERRI LUND OFFICE MANAGER

W I T H

S H E R R I

L U N D

OTTAWA AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OTTAWA, KANSAS The Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce is very active in a community of 12,500 people. The chamber began offering international trips in 2010 to increase nondues revenue. The program has approximately 325 members. Born: Paola, Kansas Employment: For 23 years, Lund worked for United Telephone, which eventually merged with Sprint. She later worked for a local real estate agent before starting at the Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce in 2008. Family: Lund married her husband, Dan, in 1982. They have two grown daughters and one grandchild. Hobbies: Traveling, trying new things, shopping, and spending time with family and friends

T R A V E L

Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce’s trip to China

tips

• Engage with your clients. Build relationships and earn their trust and friendship. • Listen to your clients’ suggestions and comments and follow up with their questions and concerns. • Work with a travel company that you trust and that will provide the support that is needed.

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BY ELIZA MYERS

hen Sherri Lund arrived at the Select Traveler Conference in August, she wasn’t sure what to expect. She had never attended the group travel conference, so her first experience would take place during the pandemic. “The conference was amazing,” said Lund, office manager of the Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce. “I loved French Lick Resort. I’m currently working with three companies that I met there. It was certainly well worth attending.” With all the chaos in the travel industry, Lund felt the conference was a boost of needed connection. Like many group travel planners, Lund has tapped her inner creativity to rethink the chamber’s travel program while continuing extensive customer service.

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SUDD EN CARE E R

Lund is no stranger to outside forces affecting her job. While she was working for a local real estate agent in 2008, the real estate market crashed, leaving her on the lookout for another career. Luckily, a job opened up at the Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce. Lund had previously worked with the former president of the chamber on a real estate transaction, which helped her get the position. In 2010 when the market started to improve, the chamber started researching ways to improve its budget. “We were looking for ways to bring in nondues revenue rather than continuing to increase dues,” said Lund. “That’s when we decided to try our hand at putting trips together.” Soon Lund started advertising in the local newspaper to attract nonmembers. The chamber’s first trip was a tour of China. “I had never been involved in planning travel, so it was a whole new experience,” said Lund. “It was a little scary at first; I’ll be honest. But it all worked out fine. The travel program has been a good thing for the chamber.”

UND ERGRO U N D S O L D I E R S

After years of traveling with her chamber group, Lund has tons of travel memories from places far from Kansas, including Italy, Cuba and Austria. One standout memory came from a 2018 visit to the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an, China. “The statues are incredible and breathtaking,” said Lund. “It is hard to even imagine it until you see all that was buried. When you see it in person, you know that your pictures don’t even compare.” On tours, Lund makes sure the members are content while she leaves the travel details up to the tour company. “I am there to answer any questions,” said Lund. “People come to you rather than the tour guide. I feel it is important for me to be able to help and listen to those who need assistance.” When pandemic-related travel restrictions began in March, Lund had to reschedule group tours. However, rather than limiting her future tours, she began to think of ways to expand her program’s offerings. “We had tossed around the idea of selling domestic trips before,” said Lund. “Then after the pandemic, some travelers told us they didn’t know if they were ready to travel internationally. That’s why we are looking more seriously at domestic trips as well as international. The travelers don’t want to give up travel.” Lund received some help setting up this new tour style from the Select Traveler Conference. After learning the conference would be nearby in Wichita, Kansas, Lund decided to give it a try. “A couple of weeks later we found out that it had been moved to French Lick, Indiana,” said Lund. “The cost was the same except for the travel part of it, so I got to go. “Thanks to the conference, I’m going to a FAM trip to Branson, Missouri, which is four hours from us. I’ll be putting together a trip with them as well.”

Tour SOUTHEAST INDIANA

RiveR Town Spend a day along the Ohio River Scenic Byway and explore historic Aurora. Follow an urban arts trail with your artist guide, tour landmark mansions, enjoy a “Linens & Luxury” luncheon and visit a small brewery with a big history. “Wonderful experience, Top-notch service!” - CB&S Bank Shining Stars, Russellville, AL

“Windows of Aurora” Hillforest Victorian House Museum

DA RI N G TO TR AV E L D O M E S T I C

Lund already had to balance the travel program with her other chamber duties. With her new goal of adding domestic trips, she must learn to build a group itinerary from scratch. “One thing I have to figure out is how to put trips together without a travel company,” said Lund. “It will be more cost effective for us, but I have to learn the details of travel planning.” Lund now has two itineraries she’s considering, including one to Oklahoma to visit TV and blog personality Ree Drummond, host of the show “The Pioneer Woman.” No matter the destination, Lund plans to continue the main ingredient of her group’s success: relationship building. “Throughout different job opportunities, working with people and providing good customer service were always very important to me,” said Lund. “The connections I have made at the chamber have been such a blessing. I just enjoy people so much.” Getting to know the travelers has also helped market the program. Word spread about the chamber’s travel program. Now clients from five to six different states join the tours regularly. The chamber even brought people from Australia to join them on two different trips. Lund believes that in the wake of COVID-19, prioritizing time with family and friends will be more important than ever. “I love continuing to grow the friendships I’ve made,” said Lund. “We get together outside of our trips. We have dinner and just enjoy each other’s company. That’s been a highlight of working here.”

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OHIO Indianapolis

INDIANA

Cincinnati

KENTUCKY

Louisville

Lexington

South of I-74 & west of I-275, 20 minutes west of Cincinnati

www.TOURSoutheastIndiana.com 800-322-8198

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T R A V E L

T O O L B O X

Get out there

and travel — safely

BY BRIA N JE W E LL

roup travel can be fun and safe, even during a pandemic. This spring, after worldwide panic over the novel coronavirus brought travel to a screeching halt, many people wondered when — or even if — groups could safely travel again. In the months since then, though, the scientific and medical communities have learned much more about how the virus spreads and how to treat it. Governments around the country have eased travel restrictions. And intrepid tour companies have found ways to operate trips while keeping passengers safe and healthy. With any luck, a COVID-19 vaccine will become widely available early next year, enabling many more people to begin traveling again. Even then, though, tours are likely to require extra health precautions through much of 2021. Although it has never been possible to guarantee complete safety on a trip, even before the pandemic, these measures will help mitigate risk and provide travel experiences for your eager customers.

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LIMIT GROUP SIZE There was a time when most group trips departed with a full passenger load of 50 people or more. Those numbers have been falling for years, though, and the pandemic has necessitated further reductions in tour capacity. Operators that have already returned to the road successfully have been capping their trips at about 30 passengers. Some have even removed seats from their motorcoaches to visually reinforce social distancing norms and allow travelers to spread out. As you plan your first trips back, shoot for those smaller numbers to help your travelers feel safe.

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MANDATE MA SKS Face masks have become nearly ubiquitous but also, unfortunately, politicized. Much of the country is under mask mandate, but some cities and states have opted to make mask-wearing optional. Since your tours will require travelers to be together in enclosed spaces for long periods, though, you should still require them. Wearing masks will help your travelers and your hosts feel comfortable about your activities. You can minimize the nuisance of mask-wearing by planning plenty of outdoor time or other stops along the way where your travelers can relax, take off their masks and enjoy some fresh air.

DOUBLE- CHECK DETAILS If your group travels to certain destinations frequently, you might think you know the details by heart. But after a tumultuous year, you can’t take anything for have worked in the past may not be there anymore, and

DESTIGMATIZE CANCELLATION

local health regulations differ widely from one state, city

In the past, travelers who can-

or attraction to the next. You should double-check to see

celed trips could lose some or all of

who can work with you and what is allowed before you

the money they had already paid.

start planning a trip. A great way to do this is with the free

This created a perverse incentive for

Tourism Navigator tool available at grouptravelleader.

people to travel even if they weren’t

granted. Group sales representatives with whom you

com/navigator.

feeling well. Now, though, travel providers are doing away with cancellation penalties in an effort to keep sick customers at home. You should do the same. Build some margin into your financial model so you can re-

CONSIDER TESTING

fund one or two travelers’ payments without taking a loss. And consider

If you want to be as sure as possible that none of your travelers will

bundling in a travel insurance policy

spread the coronavirus to your tour group, consider asking them to get

that reimburses customers who can-

tested in the days before the trip departs. The widespread availability of

cel due to illness.

low-cost testing has made this much more feasible than it was early in the pandemic. Some quick tests render results in as little as five minutes, and more accurate lab tests often take under three days to process. No test is foolproof, of course, and there’s always a chance that someone in your group could contract the virus after getting tested. But a testing regime is still your best option for keeping the coronavirus at bay.

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protocols &

CURTAIN CALLS Groups can enjoy classic theater shows like “Cinderella” at the Derby Dinner Playhouse. Courtesy Derby Dinner Playhouse

These theaters have their acts together BY ELIZA MYERS

o matter how hard the film industry tries, it can’t replicate a live stage performance. The excitement that the audience feels when the curtain lifts is palpable. Because of this distinctive experience, many fans have celebrated the return of some theater venues across the country. After most closed in March because of the pandemic, many privately owned theaters have reopened with new hygienic and social distancing protocols in place. Travel planners should keep in mind that these guidelines are subject to change at any point. Groups looking for a way to enjoy theater and stay safe can try any of these high-quality shows.

DE RBY D I N N E R P LAY HOU SE CLARKSVILLE, INDIANA

Intimate theater-in-the-round venues have presented quite a problem for theaters across the country. Derby Dinner Playhouse’s staff had to think creatively in order to reopen in July. “We are selling 50% capacity, which turns out to right about 30% capacity because we are selling every other table,” said Cary Wiger, sales and event coordinator for the Derby Dinner Playhouse. “We still have the buffet menu, but when the patrons order, we plate it up for them and bring it to their table. Then they can ask for seconds.” Other safety procedures include mandated masks, frequent cleanings and air filters. The response from guests has been overwhelmingly positive, with many reporting they felt safe and enjoyed the performances. “It gives the audience a great sense of confidence,” said Wiger. “We are doing as much as we can to reduce the risk. We tell the audience the masks really bring out their eyes. That little joke works for us and helps remind everyone to keep their mask on during the performance.” Upcoming performances include “Christmas My Way: A Sinatra Holiday Bash,” “Lerner and Loewe’s Camelot” and “Grease.” Before each performance, a vocal ensemble called Footnotes warms up the crowd. Now in its 46th season, the dinner theater still offers its trademark American-style cuisine, featuring fried chicken, roast beef, a salad bar, hot rolls and bountiful desserts. The theater’s staff is working on a plan to add more seats safely, since each show sells out with waiting lists. DERBYDINNER.COM

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‘THE CAROLINA OPRY’

MYRTLE BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA

“The Carolina Opry” doesn’t need to boast — critics and audience members brag about the acclaimed Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, show all on their own. With accolades from The New York Times, USA Today and CNN, the 35-year-old show features talented performers in a variety show that spans various music genres. The production reopened in September after being closed for nearly six months. Masks are now mandated by local ordinances, though the theater allows audience members to remove their masks while seated. The theater also requires social distancing, has limited auditorium capacity and undergoes frequent sanitation procedures. “The Carolina Opry” is performed inside the Carolina Opry Theater, which is also home to “Time Warp,” a musical tour of the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. “‘The Carolina Opry’ is the longest-running show in the area,” said Sandy Haines, group tour sales manager for Visit Myrtle Beach. “Groups really like the Christmas show. We also have several other live theaters in Myrtle Beach.” The Carolina Opry Theater is part of a larger beachfront entertainment destination. Many of the theaters in Myrtle Beach have also reopened using similar social distancing measures. The Alabama Theatre started when members of the country music group Alabama wanted to return to their musical roots in Myrtle Beach. Today the theater offers a wide variety of shows, including “One the Show,” which combines lively music, expertly choreographed dancing and comedy. Groups also enjoy “Medieval Times,” “Legends in Concert Myrtle Beach,” “The Pirates Voyage Dinner Show” and “Motor City Musical,” among many others. Myrtle Beach also stands out as a great destination to observe social distancing year round with its warm weather and other reopened groupfriendly attractions, among them the new Barefoot Queen riverboat. VISITMYRTLEBEACH.COM

‘THE GREAT PASSION PLAY’ EUREKA SPRINGS, ARKANSAS

“The Great Passion Play” has one advantage over other productions during the pandemic: a 4,000-seat outdoor amphitheater. The onehour-45-minute show about Jesus’ death and resurrection was able to open May 22 with limited seating.

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The Carolina Opry

“We have a lot of space to spread people out,” said Kent Butler, associate director for “The Great Passion Play.” “We have used more gallons of hand sanitizers than I have seen in my life. It is a challenge to do a play during a pandemic, but we still see incredible responses from our audiences.” The show ended for the year on October 31, with plans to restart the season on Easter weekend in 2021. The multilevel-set, live-animal and full-cast epic drama is one of several faith-based attractions at the site. Groups can also look up at the 67-foot-tall Christ of the Ozarks, one of the largest Christ memorial statues. A two-hour Holy Land Tour re-creates scenes from the Bible, such as the inn at Bethlehem. Other attractions include the Bible Museum, the Sacred Arts Museum and an extensive gift shop. The Great Hall Buffet has switched from buffets to plated dinners for groups and other visitors. “The pandemic makes you reset your life priorities,” said Butler. “The story of Jesus gives people a lot of peace, so it’s an especially important production right now.” GREATPASSIONPLAY.ORG

‘DOLLY PARTON’S STAMPEDE’ PIGEON FORGE, TENNESSEE

Courtesy Visit Myrtle Beach

The Great Passion Play

Once groups sit down and take off their masks to eat at “Dolly Parton’s Stampede,” they can easily forget they are in the middle of a pandemic. They instead can focus on a fourcourse meal and trained riders managing incredible feats while riding 32 horses. The show takes its job of bringing smiles to faces very seriously at the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, arena. “One of the emcees at our show said that the only difference is that people have more elbow room than they used to,” said Ellen Liston, public relations manager for the Dollywood Company. “It’s the same great experience, just a little more spread out than in the past.” Since the stampede performance always served guests individually, the meals run the same as before the pandemic, only with servers wearing masks. Guests continue to dine on creamy vegetable soup, homemade biscuits, hickory smoked pork loin and flaky apple pastry. The 35,000-square-foot facility is now admitting less than 50% capacity so attendees have enough room. The show is run by the Dollywood Company, which also oversees “The Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Feud,” “The Comedy Barn Dinner Theater” and “The Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show” in Pigeon Forge and other cities across the U.S. All reopened with similar guidelines in place. “As a company, one of the things we wanted was to be as careful as possible,” said Liston. “Folks have to wear masks to go into the theater. We are also social distancing in lines as well as inside the theater. We make sure all of the requirements are met and that everybody feels safe.” DPSTAMPEDE.COM

By Jeff Goostree, courtesy The Great Passion Play

‘LEGENDS IN CONCERT’ BRANSON, MISSOURI

The Comedy Barn Dinner Theater

Courtesy Dollywood Company

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How do you get some of the world’s most famous musicians under one roof? “Legends in Concert” has the closest experience: The celebrity tribute show has traveled to more than 15 countries and has entertained more than 30 million fans. The show was founded in 1983 in Las Vegas before opening in Branson, Missouri, in 1996. The tribute’s stars change throughout the year, with frequent appearances by Elvis Presley, the Blues Brothers, Michael Jackson and Johnny Cash. “Back when the show first opened, it was a different concept,” said Jill Heppner, ambassador for “Legends in Concert.” “There didn’t used to be many tribute shows out there. Our actors go to extremes to look and sound like the people they are portraying. They study everything about the artists, including the eye color, how they hold their instruments, their mannerisms and what fingers they wore rings on.” The musical revue reopened in June with its capacity reduced by a third. The theater follows typical social distancing procedures, with hand sanitizing stations, masks and spaced seating. “One thing I feel is slightly unique is that we have a safety inspector on the premises,” said Heppner. “He walks around making sure all the protocols are begin followed.” Also, on the site is an eclectic doughnut shop, a VIP lounge area and a celebrity car mu-

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seum, so groups can easily spend the day at the theater. Many groups also like to come before the show to see the memorabilia displayed in the lobby. The items rotate in and out; past displays have included Bo Diddley’s guitar and clothes worn by Elvis. LEGENDSINCONCERT.COM

NEED A QUICK GROUP GETAWAY?

FIRESIDE DINNER THEATRE

FORT ATKINSON, WISCONSIN

One of the country’s most popular dinner theaters, the Fireside Dinner Theatre in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, has had to reimagine the way it does business. Built in 1964, the awardwinning, professional theater company showcases hit Broadway musicals and revues in the round. Fireside started offering curbside carryout dinners in April and, in June, began offering dine-in nights and a weekend concert series. Following local and national guidelines, the site is limited to 25% capacity, with mask requirements and spacedout seating. “The first thing that people notice when they come in is that it is a smaller crowd,” said Julie Nordeen, marketing manager for the Fireside Dinner Theatre. “It looks a little different, but it also makes the performance a little more intimate. There will be closer to 150 people instead of 600. People are so happy to come. They still get a great experience.” Instead of buffets, the menu at the 1,000-seat restaurant is all plated dinners. Groups can also explore three permanent gift shops and one seasonal shop for a wide selection of gifts and collectibles. The family-owned theater company is still finalizing its season for next year. Groups are encouraged to reach out to staff to talk through what is different about the experience and how it can work for them. FIRESIDETHEATRE.COM

Ridgeland is ready when you are with safe, accessible outdoor shopping venues, a new Malco Theater, over 140 restaurant options and brand hotels. Our location just outside of Jackson, MS off the Natchez Trace Parkway (National Park) offers you a convenient escape. A steak and shrimp meal at Fireside Dinner Theatre Courtesy Fireside Dinner Theatre

For more information about visiting Mississippi, explore visitmississippi.org, #VisitMSResponsibly. Ridgeland Fine Arts Festival May 1-2, 2021

Legends in Concert Courtesy Legends in Concert

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S T A T E

o f

M I N D

Altitude attitude

ENERGIZE YOUR GROUP WITH A TRIP TO COLORADO

BY JILL GLEESON

t’s hard not to be happy in freewheeling Colorado. Home to the glorious Rocky Mountains, it’s as beautiful as anywhere else on the planet and a fantastic playground for outdoor enthusiasts of all skill levels. But travelers don’t have to have an adventurous bone in their bodies to love the Centennial State because from its biggest cities on down to its smaller towns, it manages to offer culture and culinary scenes to please all. The most difficult thing about traveling through Colorado isn’t finding attractions and activities to suit every taste; it’s choosing where to visit. Luckily, Boulder, Breckenridge and Colorado Springs, all world-class destinations in their own right, encircle Denver like a wheel, each perched within a 90-minute drive of the capital city. Together, they make the perfect group getaway itinerary.

DENVER

With 300 cloud-free days annually, the Mile High City, so nicknamed for the elevation at which it sits, has a sunny disposition indeed. But Denver makes a great stop for groups touring Colorado due to more than its famously gorgeous weather, though they might want to spend some time, as residents often do, relaxing in one of the city’s many al fresco cafes. For the past decade, Denver, perhaps the country’s biggest boomtown, has had a lot going on, said Ashley Geisheker, associate director, public relations and communications for Visit Denver. “I think Denver really lends itself well to group visits because we have so much to offer in terms of art and culture, culinary options, and outdoor recreation,” she said. “There’s a lot for any type of traveler. We are able to offer the best of both worlds as to what a Colorado vacation would look like

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The Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre near Denver provides easy access to some gorgeous Colorado views.

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B O ULDER

DENVER

B R ECK ENR I DGE

CO LO R ADO S PR I NGS

Denver Union Station

By Ellen Jaskol, courtesy Visit Denver

By Bob Ash, courtesy Visit Denver

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Denver Art Museum

By Chris Schneider, courtesy Visit Denver

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Denver Art Museum

— the mountain experience and the urban city experience.” Groups that want to begin with indoor adventures might want to first head to the Denver Art Museum, now under renovation, although the institution’s largest building remains open. A masterpiece in itself, the building contains no right angles, all the better to more uniquely showcase exhibits. Geisheker also recommends that groups stop by Union Station, the magnificent, century-old beaux-arts railway station now stuffed with jazzy shops and restaurants, including two from James Beard award-winning chef Jennifer Jasinski. Groups can book one-hour tours of the station through the Crawford Hotel or head over to the home of the Colorado Rockies for “Behind the Seams,” a tour of Coors Field popular with motorcoach visitors. Part of the Denver park system, the legendary open-air concert venue Red Rocks also makes a great stop “because there are several miles of trails around the theater,” Geisheker said. “But if people aren’t interested in hiking, there’s a visitor center, which has a history of the venue, a full listing of who has played since 1904 and a nice video you can sit and watch.” visitdenver.com

BOULDER

Home to the University of Colorado Boulder, this city of about 106,000 is best known for its laid-back, welcoming vibe and spectacular location at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Just a half-hour drive northwest of Denver, Boulder is a must-do stop for groups, thanks to both its unusual energy and unspoiled splendor, according to Mary Ann Mahoney, chief executive officer for the Boulder Convention and Visitors Bureau. “One of the special things about Boulder is that it’s always so vibrant,” Mahoney said. “It’s such an active community, and the beauty you cannot replicate anywhere, with By Rebecca Todd, courtesy Visit Denver

A bicycle tour in Boulder

Boulder’s Pearl Street Courtesy Boulder CVB

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Courtesy Boulder CVB

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the Flatiron Mountains right in our backyard. We’re known for our land preservation, so when you get near Boulder, there’s all this open space which has turned into great recreational places to go biking, hiking or on a guided tour. Even though group members may not be active, when they visit Boulder, they want to be a little more active than they have been.” For group members who would like to get moving, there is a wide range of guided experiences for visitors: fishing, biking, hiking, climbing, floating, Segway riding, ballooning, paddle boarding gliding and even goat yoga outdoors. Or if groups would like to tip an elbow, the city, which counts one of the highest concentrations of breweries per capita in the United States, also offers bespoke beer tours. But one of the most popular group adventures in Boulder is the free Celestial Seasonings factory tour. It takes visitors not only inside the manufacturing facility but also through the history of the company that became one of the most famous purveyors of herbal tea in the world. With any remaining time, groups will also want to visit the new Museum of Boulder, which explores the city’s history with a wealth of engaging exhibits covering music, art, tech and more, as well as the spectacular Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse. Gifted by the people of Dushanbe, Tajikistan, it was disassembled, shipped to Boulder and reassembled as a symbol of goodwill and friendship. bouldercoloradousa.com

A cafe in Boulder

Courtesy Boulder CVB

Skiing in Breckenridge

BRECKENRIDGE

Perhaps more than anyplace else in the country, Colorado is known for its abundance of ski towns. But beautiful Breckenridge, which lies about 90 minutes southwest of Denver, is quite unlike others that groups might encounter in the state, said Austyn Dineen, public relations director, Breckenridge Tourism Office. “Breckenridge started as a mining community in the 1800s,” she said. “Other destinations were built around a ski mountain to provide that experience, but Breckenridge has this old-school, deeply rooted charm. And I think more than anything, Breckenridge is a welcoming and friendly, unpretentious community. When you’re on Main Street, you know everyone is happy you’re here.” Breckenridge, which sits at the base of the Rockys’ Tenmile Range, offers groups a delightful National Historic District rich with Victorian structures painted in hues nearly as colorful and lovely as a Colorado sunset. Walking tours through it can be booked with the Breckenridge Heritage Alliance. Or groups can try their luck panning for precious metal at the Country Boy Mine. The fully restored attraction also offers tours that take guests 1,000 feet down into the former gold mine. Afterward, groups might want to split up; depending on their pleasure, members can hop aboard a high-performance fat bike with Ridden for a tour of Breck’s breweries and distilleries or peruse the town’s extraordinary arts scene at sites like the Raitman Art Galleries and the fivedecade-old Breckenridge Gallery. Group members can also download free cellphone audio tours of Breck’s 35 public art works and its Arts District through the Breckenridge Creative Arts organization.

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Courtesy Breckenridge Tourism Office

A Breckenridge sunset Courtesy Breckenridge Tourism Office

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But no matter what else groups do, they should make time to get outside. In the winter, the Breckenridge Ski Resort serves up a whopping 187 trails on 2,908 skiable acres. Summertime can mean hikes up the local “14er,” Quandary Peak or one of the multitude of 13,000-foot-plus summits that surround the town. But no matter how wild or mild you want your outdoor experience to be, Dineen recommends booking with Colorado Adventure Guides. “They can shape tours for any kind of group,” she said, “That’s a great avenue because they can manage that experience so it’s more attainable for everyone in the group.” gobreck.com

COLORADO SPRINGS

Colorado Springs is a city on the rise. Second only to Denver in population, the city has recently experienced “a lot of economic growth,” said Alexea Veneracion, communications manager for Visit Colorado Springs. “We’re being seen as a destination for health and wellness. People come to breathe in the fresh air and be outside. We are close enough to Denver, but far enough to feel like a small-town getaway in the mountains. It’s really the best of both worlds.” With a population that is estimated to have expanded from 400,000 in 2010 to about 700,000 in 2020 comes exciting new attractions. This past July, the 60,000-squarefoot United States Olympic and Paralympic Museum debuted, it’s ingenious pinwheel-shaped interior and shimmering aluminum-paneled exterior so magnificent it’s already won acclaim from Architectural Digest. Designed to be one of the world’s most accessible buildings, the museum is extremely interactive, giving groups the chance to play Olympic sports like downhill skiing. Also in July, the historic Flying W Ranch, shuttered since a 2012 fire, reopened. Groups can once again experience the beloved chuck wagon show, which includes dinner prepared over an open flame, or tour planners can schedule a private event at the attraction. And coming up next May, Colorado’s most famous mountain will get a new visitors center, the Pikes Peak Summit Complex, which will feature interactive displays about topics like its history and weather. Groups will be able to take the Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway there, which is reopening in May following a revamp that closed it for three years. Before groups leave Colorado Springs, Veneracion suggests they experience Garden of the Gods, which she called “a great park for groups.” “It’s so accessible and easy for tourists to drive through,” she said. Among the easier hiking trails in the 1,367-acre nature area filled with sandstone formations is the Siamese Twins Loop Trail, known for its “two rock towers that frame Pikes Peak really nicely,” she said. visitcos.com

Broken Compass Brewing

Country Boy Mine in Breckenridge

Courtesy Breckenridge Tourism Office

Garden of the Gods

U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum

Pikes Peak Cog Railway

Flying W Ranch in Colorado Springs Photos courtesy Visit Colorado Springs, except where noted

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TRAVEL

ALLIANCE

PARTNERS TR AVEL GUI D E

PUBLISHED BY THE GROUP TRAVEL LEAD ER

FORWARD TOGETHER TAP OPERATORS ARE POISED TO RECOVER IN 2021

“All of our tour operators are still in business,” said Lisa Doerner, TAP’s

executive director. “They’re planning for 2021. In some cases, their travelers just pushed their 2020 trips to 2021. In other cases, they’re creating new tours and trying to come up with creative itineraries.”

The whirlwind of cancellations, closures and government-imposed

restrictions imposed since March have left travel providers worldwide

scrambling. TAP’s operators have leaned into their relationships to navigate these uncharted waters.

“TAP is working harder than ever on collaborating with our suppliers,”

Doerner said. “That’s really big for the coming year. We’re collaborating as much as we can to create itineraries and work with smaller destinations. We feel like that’s going to be the key to a successful recovery. “Because of where

travel is right now,

ow in its 20th year, Travel

more diversification

of their products,

(TAP) has proven that

they have to accom-

tion help travel buyers and

Much of that col-

Alliance

our tour operators are Partnership

cooperation and collabora-

sellers succeed. That point is especially powerful in 2020.

Founded in 2001, TAP is a consortium of tour

companies around North America, each with its own

looking for more and

because they have to

do smaller trips. So

modate what group

leaders want.”

at TAP Dance, the

LISA DOERNER

laboration took place organization’s annual

conference. Since the event takes place each June, the 2020 edition was one of the first tourism industry gatherings to move to a virtual format.

“People were very skeptical because it was new to everyone,” Doerner

area of specialty or regional expertise. The partner-

said. “But based on the survey feedback, the event exceeded everyone’s

other’s tours. The partnership allows TAP members

higher attendance than we anticipated in the networking activities. People

gives each TAP partner a wider network of poten-

The organization’s board is now evaluating its options for next year’s

ship consists of 26 members who buy and sell each

expectations. The business meetings were more productive, and we had

to offer their customers a wide array of products and

were so eager to see each other.”

tial customers from around the country. The TAP

TAP Dance, but other elements of its operations are already back on track.

tours, safaris, cruises, sporting events and other travel

Atlantic Tours, have begun operating trips again. And the popular TAP

TAP’s collaborative approach was groundbreaking

“We’ve certainly seen webinar attendance increase since March,”

catalog is large and diverse: It features motorcoach

Several member companies, including Southwest Adventure Tours and

experiences.

Into Tuesday webinar series has continued.

when the organization was launched, and it led to

Doerner said. “People are eager for information on tours.”

two decades of growth and profitability for its tour

To learn more about TAP and its tour products, visit tapintotravel.com.

operator members, as well as the destinations and attraction suppliers that support them. Now, during

a year of crisis no one could have anticipated, that team spirit has helped TAP’s member companies remain strong.

2021 TAP TRAVEL GUIDE

Let Oklahoma Strum Your Heartstrings Oklahoma’s musical roots run deep. In Oklahoma City, marvel at the American Banjo Museum’s 400+ banjos. Refuel at the Rock Café in Stroud, a Route 66 diner that once served Led Zeppelin front man, Robert Plant. Another fun fact? Its zany owner, Dawn, inspired a Cars character. At the Woody Guthrie Center in Tulsa, pay homage to the legendary folk musician and political activist. Then, treat yourself to a plate of chicken and waffles at the original Ole Red bar and grill in Tishomingo, country superstar Blake Shelton’s hometown.

Browse more attractions and itineraries at TravelOK.com/Group.

ICONS AWAIT

POMPEYS PILLAR NATIONAL MONUMENT

BY R AC H E L C A R T E R Courtesy NPS

TA P PA RT N ER S PU T A M ER IC A FRON T A N D CEN T ER

ewis and Clark set off on an expedition to explore America’s newly acquired and completely uncharted western territory. New York’s Hudson Valley drew Gilded Age tycoons of American business. Whether they were giants of American industry, stars of America’s pastime or heroes of American wars, these Travel Alliance Partners itineraries showcase some of the most influential icons in American history.

LEWIS AND CLARK TRAIL SHEBBY LEE TOURS

Lewis and Clark. Those two names conjure an expansive tale of exploration and adventure, of trailblazing, groundbreaking and placemaking. Meriwether Lewis and his close friend, William Clark, have become legend, though their exploits were real. President Thomas Jefferson chose the pair in 1803 to lead the Corp of Discovery expedition to cross the nation’s newly acquired Louisiana Purchase territory. American schoolchildren are weaned on the story, but international travelers who take Shebby Lee Tours’ Lewis and Clark Trail trip often say the same thing: “It’s a great story.” The itinerary appeals to history buffs, and tour operators can sell into an already scheduled departure by ones and twos. Though the itinerary includes museums and other attractions, the tour retraces the expedition’s actual route, starting in St. Louis and continuing to Oregon. “One of the things we stress is that we go where history happened,” Lee said. That includes a stop at Pompeys Pillar National Historic Landmark, where Clark carved his name in the rock on the return trip in 1806. One of the best “they stood here” places is at the beginning of the trip, the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers where the expedition started. Lee then takes the group to the Missouri Historical

2021 TAP TRAVEL GUIDE

ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

Courtesy MARS

Society annex, where a historian takes out special items, including the actual Lewis and Clark journals and some original maps, “things that they touched.” The group will also climb the path to the top of Spirit Mound in South Dakota, though today’s travelers will likely have a much easier time of it than the expedition did. The itinerary is also dotted with re-created forts and trading posts, many of which were built in those locations because of the expedition’s work to find sites to further the fur trade. Lee also hires many reenactors “to make it come alive even more all along the trail,” she said.

AMERICAN VALOR MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND MID ATLANTIC RECEPTIVE SERVICES (MARS)

They may not be famous, but the names of veterans who have given their lives in service to this country are carved in the hearts of their families and descendants, and America pays tribute to them every Memorial Day. Mid Atlantic Receptive Services (MARS) operates the American Valor Memorial Day Weekend itinerary in Washington, D.C., to “honor those in every branch of the military and obviously those who have sacrificed their lives for our freedoms,” said MARS president Kate Scopetti.

WWW.TAPINTOTRAVEL.COM

The itinerary takes groups to Arlington National Cemetery, where they witness the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The trip is packed with memorials and monuments: the Marine Corps War Memorial (the Iwo Jima Memorial), the United States Navy Memorial, the FDR Memorial, the Vietnam War Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, the World War II Memorial, Pentagon 9/11 Memorial Park, the Air Force Memorial and the Eisenhower Memorial. The memorials are personal to each traveler — perhaps it has to do with their experiences growing up or with family members who served — but the Vietnam and WWII memorials seem to resonate the most. Depending on the group’s interests, Scopetti has also arranged a wreath-laying ceremony, a flag ceremony or a bagpipe ceremony at a memorial. The Air Force Memorial overlooks the Pentagon and sits on a knoll, “so it has a fantastic view of the city,” Scopetti said. MARS added the newly opened Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial to the itinerary, and the Navy memorial has a small museum where visitors can watch a film. The National Memorial Day Parade is the highlight of the trip, and MARS partners with the American Veterans organization to be the only tour group with seating at the event. MARS groups sit by the troops, so they have an unobstructed view of the parade and performers. The trip also includes reserved seating at the National Memorial Day Choral Festival Concert at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

BASEBALL HALL OF FAME SPORTS TRAVEL AND TOURS

The National Baseball Hall of Fame inducts new members annually, but every year is different — and every year is a once-in-a-lifetime dream for die-hard baseball fans. “We tap into a traveler’s passion; we’re hitting a nerve,” said Jay Smith, president and owner of Sports Travel and Tours. “It could be from childhood or from playing or from life, but there’s a passion and a love of seeing someone you grew up with doing something special.” The 2020 Hall of Fame induction event was postponed until 2021 due to the pandemic, but with Derek Jeter being in the class of 2020 and his induction happening in 2021, “this will be the event of a lifetime,” Smith said. Sports Travel and Tours starts with a core package and offers several itinerary options that build from there with nicer hotels, more time and greater access.

ELEANOR ROOSEVELT’S VAL-KILL COTTAGE Courtesy NPS

FORT OSAGE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER Courtesy MARS

Courtesy Jackson Co. Parks & Recreation

TOURING COOPERSTOWN

Courtesy Sports Travel & Tours

KYKUIT, THE ROCKEFELLER ESTATE

Cooperstown, New York, fills up for the annual inauguration, so Albany serves as a hub, and travelers stay in surrounding towns. Visitors spend Saturday in Cooperstown, touring the Hall of Fame and exploring the quaint downtown, where they may run into Hall of Famers walking around. On Saturday night, the Parade of Legends includes a chronological promenade of Hall of Fame members by inductee year, starting with the oldest and ending with that year’s inductees. The induction ceremony takes place Sunday on the grounds of the Clark Sports Center. As the Hall of Fame’s official licensed travel company, Sports Travel and Tours has reserved seating for its VIP travelers, giving them access to the sectioned “infield” area alongside players and media. On Monday, travelers can attend the Legends of the Round Table, an intimate Q&A with the just-inducted players. During one of its receptions, Sports Travel and Tours offers the Ump’s Eye View program with stories from a retired MLB umpire.

ROCKEFELLER TO ROCKWELL TWIN TRAVEL CONCEPTS

The “three Rs” has a different meaning for Twin Travel Concepts: Rockefeller, Rockwell and Roosevelt. The company’s Rockefeller to Rockwell itinerary takes groups through the Hudson Valley and Berkshire Mountains to the Gilded Age-mansions and country retreats of some of the nation’s most notable names. The FDR Presidential Library and Museum is a national park where the home of Franklin D. Roosevelt is better known simply as Springwood. Groups can explore the library and museum during self-guided tours, but a guided tour of FDR’s home includes stories about many of the leaders of the day who visited. Another Roosevelt stop is Val-Kill Cottage, Eleanor Roosevelt’s personal home about two miles from Springwood. Though she lived at Springwood, so did FDR’s mother, and Eleanor decided she wanted her own place. Kykuit is the Rockefeller Estate along the Hudson River that was home to four generations of the Rockefeller family, starting with John D. Rockefeller, founder of Standard Oil. A tour leads groups through the main rooms of the six-story stone house and into the gardens that are dotted with Gov. Nelson Rockefeller’s sculpture collection. At the Norman Rockwell Home and Museum in the Berkshires village of Stockbridge, groups spend most of their time exploring the museum and Rockwell’s studio. Rockwell was famous for his Saturday Evening Post illustrations, and groups can see all the covers at the museum along with many of his larger pieces. But visitors will also learn that Rockwell was an intense man and a meticulous artist who used models and mockups, and elaborate sets and photographs, rather than draw from his imagination alone.

By Jaime Martorano, courtesy Historic Hudson Valley

2021 TAP TRAVEL GUIDE

REDISCOVER ATLANTIC CITY

The Story Continues Entertainment and excitement await in Atlantic City, including our world-famous Boardwalk, the ultimate in tax-free shopping, award-winning dining, live entertainment, and great attractions, like the Absecon Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse in New Jersey. Experience an exciting getaway and create a lifetime of memories in Atlantic City.

Atlantic City Expert Heather Colache is available at 609-318-6097 or hcolache@meetac.com to make sure you enjoy Atlantic City as it was meant to be experienced. Call today to book your Atlantic City Experience. Meet AC received funding through a grant from the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism.

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TourAtlanticCity.com

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GET BACK

OUT THERE A PUFFIN LANDING IN NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR BY R AC H E L C A R T E R Courtesy Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism

BUCK ET LIST JOU R N E YS AWA I T W I T H TA P I TI N ER A R I E S

eople often call them bucket-list trips or dream vacations, but no matter what they’re called, these journeys are the kind of voyage that travelers will do only once in their lifetime — or that people may wait a lifetime to do. What each person wants to tick off his or her bucket list is highly personal. Some want to go on safari in Africa to see the “big five”: lions, leopards, rhinoceroses, elephants and Cape buffaloes. Others want to see whales and puffins and icebergs in the northern Atlantic. Some want to cruise through Europe on one of its great rivers, and others want to take a helicopter tour that lands on a glacier in Alaska. Check out these Travel Alliance Partners itineraries for your group’s next bucket list adventure.

CIRCLE NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR ATLANTIC TOURS AND TRAVEL

In Newfoundland and Labrador, visitors will find quaint communities, family-owned accommodations and fresh local fare. And in Newfoundland and Labrador, “you’ll never meet more friendly people,” said Chris Rose, product and sales manager for Atlantic Tours and Travel. People sign up for the Circle Newfoundland and Labrador itinerary for abundant wildlife, expansive scenery and unique culture, but the itinerary offers plenty of history as well. There are four UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Newfoundland, “and we’ve got three of them,” Rose said. L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site is a Viking or Norse settlement dating to A.D. 1000 where visitors can see original Viking mounds and watch for passing icebergs and moose. There, costumed actors dress as Vikings, and “you can actually see impressions in the ground where their huts were,” he said. Gros Morne National Park is one of the few places in the world where the Earth’s mantle is exposed. In the park, travelers can choose between two boat tours: one on Bonne Bay or another on Western Brook Pond. Red Bay National Historic Site is the location of a 16th-century Basque whaling station on Labrador’s southern coast. Visitors can

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ON SAFARI IN TANZANIA

Courtesy Sun Tours

wander through the former whaling town that dates to the 1500s and explore the whalers’ cemetery. Summer is the best time of year for whale watching and puffinsighting, and June through early July is prime iceberg season. “It would be very rare not to see a humpback breach on the boat tour in St. Anthony,” Rose said. Throughout the trip, the group stops in a number of quaint fishing villages and cozy inlets, like Port au Choix to learn about the area’s earliest settlers and the scenic outport of Twillingate, where they’ll visit Long Point Lighthouse. The itinerary wraps up in St. John’s, a bustling seaport with colorful row houses lining steep streets. At Cape Spear National Historic Site, travelers can stand on the easternmost point of North America.

MAGNIFICENT ALASKA SOUTHWEST ADVENTURE TOURS

Alaska is the proverbial final frontier of American adventure. “Alaska is a place where you can drive for hours at a time and there’s nobody around,” said Jason Murray, owner, founder and guide at Southwest Adventure Tours. “Alaska is still very much what it was 100 or 1,000 years ago; you can just disappear and not see people for hours and days at a time.” That sense of exploration draws people to the Magnificent Alaska

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itinerary, which is capped at 10 passengers to ensure a small-group experience as travelers explore a vast array of wildlife and wilderness. In Seward, the group visits Exit Glacier, where they can hike the Harding Icefield trail. Travelers can also take an optional helicopter flight-seeing tour of Godwin Glacier that lands at a dog camp. There, they visit the kennel, meet the mushers and take a dog sled ride on the glacier. “They get that iconic Alaska frontier experience,” Murray said. Those who don’t do the optional excursion will visit a kennel in Seward and go dog-sledding in a wheeled cart. Travelers can also go deep-sea fishing with “whales right next to you.” In Homer, a seaplane takes the group to Katmai National Park, where they’ll be 100 yards from bears fishing in the river for salmon and fighting each other for the best fishing spot. Also in Homer, travelers will take a sea taxi to Kachemak Bay State Park, where they’ll hike to a glacier-fed lake to kayak at the base of a glacier. A scenic Alaska Railroad GoldStar Dome train ride takes the group back to Anchorage for the northern half of the itinerary. The group will stop in Talkeetna for a two-hour narrated river float before heading to Denali National Park. A bus tour takes the group to the park’s visitor center, and travelers can explore on their own from there. The capstone of the trip is either a high-altitude flight around Denali, formerly Mount McKinley, or a glacier-landing experience on one of Denali’s glaciers.

TANZANIA-SERENGETI ADVENTURE SUN TOURS

Going “on safari” conjures images of trekking through rugged terrain, sweating under a beating sun and batting away unimaginable bugs. But five-star lodges, tented camps and Land Rovers provide plenty of comfort during Sun Tours’ Tanzania-Serengeti Adventure. Travelers visit during migration season to experience as much wildlife as possible at several national parks. “We’ll see thousands of zebras and tens of thousands of wildebeest and hundreds of giraffes and elephants and lions,” said owner Frank Fine. The group travels in land cruisers that seat six passengers, and each vehicle features a pop-top roof for unobstructed — and safe — views. It’s common to have elephants or lions walk by within 10 feet of the vehicles, Fine said. The itinerary includes game drives in Arusha National Park and Tarangire National Park, where

wildlife gathers at the area’s only permanent river. Serengeti National Park is home to the greatest concentration of large mammals in the world, including migratory herds of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles. Tanzania’s highly trained, college-educated guides are extremely knowledgeable about the animals, the culture, the flora and the fauna, Fine said, and Sun Tours’ guides adjust each day’s route depending on where they know the animals are. “One day, we got up at 4 in the morning to go see the hippos,” he said. “It was an extraordinary experience.”

TAKING IN THE ALASKAN WILDERNESS

Courtesy Southwest Adventure Tours

A EUROPEAN CHRISTMAS MARKET

Courtesy Grand View Tour and Travel

NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR’S GROS MORNE NATIONAL PARK Courtesy Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism

CHRISTMAS TREATS AT A EUROPEAN MARKET

The group visits Ngorongoro Crater, a 100-square-mile crater that’s home to elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes and rare black rhinos. Travelers will also see Olduvai Gorge, where the prehistoric skeleton known as Lucy was discovered. But the trip is not wholly focused on nature; the group will also get to learn about and experience Tanzanian culture. Travelers will visit a market where residents shop for their daily needs, a local art collective and an authentic Maasai village, one that’s not staged for tourists. “It’s a very personal experience,” Fine said. “They take us to their homes, and you really get to see how they live. It is the real thing.”

RHINE GETAWAY CHRISTMAS MARKETS GRAND VIEW TOUR AND TRAVEL

The European tradition of Christmas markets dates to the late Middle Ages in the German-speaking part of Europe and the eastern regions of France. Today, these holiday street markets are held in nearly every city, town and village across Europe; they range in size from a handful of humble stalls to massive, annual festivals. Each has its own personality, but at every market, visitors will find holiday treats like cookies, cakes and other local specialties along with French chocolate chaud, Rüdesheim coffee or Glühwein, the German mulled wine. Hundreds of stalls showcase handmade items, from toys and trinkets to ornaments and ornate artwork, along with traditional folkcraft like nutcrackers, prune dolls and German smokers, wooden-figurine incense burners. “It’s where the spirit and romance of Christmas comes alive,” said Denise Hay, owner of Grand View Tour and Travel. “And the best way to move from one market to the next is the rivers.” Grand View will take travelers on a Viking Cruise to explore cities and their Christkindlmarkts along the Rhine River. The December 2021 itinerary includes the Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland. The cruise begins in Amsterdam, sailing south on the Rhine to Basel, Switzerland. The cruise stops in Cologne and Koblenz before arriving in Rüdesheim, which boasts one of the best Christmas markets on the trip, Hay said. The picturesque medieval town welcomes over 120 vendors who set up stalls throughout the famous Old Quarter and pedestrian-only Drosselgasse area. A local favorite is Rüdesheim coffee, made with locally distilled Asbach Uralt Brandy, whipped cream and sugar and served in a special coffee cup. The market in Strasbourg, France, is another highlight, Day said. Located on the Grande Ile near Strasbourg Cathedral and Place Kléber, the market draws some 2 million visitors each year, and many vendors feature traditional Alsatian goods. The trip offers plenty of Christmas cheer but also delivers classic European history with tours of churches and castles. Travelers can tour the Dom, Germany’s largest cathedral, as well as Ehrenbreitstein Fortress and the 700-year-old Marksburg Castle.

Courtesy Grand View Tour and Travel

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A DATE WITH

HISTORY A MONUMENT ON NORMANDY’S UTAH BEACH BY R AC H E L C A R T E R By Fred Pot, courtesy Image Tours

TA P M EM BER S OFFER I NSIGH TS ON WOR L DW I DE E V EN TS

istory often gets chalked up as dusty and dull: antiques behind velvet ropes and artifacts in glass cases. But historic tours give visitors the chance to stand in the very spot where the course of the country shifted or the fate of the world’s future was decided. Visit a step pyramid in Egypt, the oldest construction of stone in the world. Stand on the beaches of Normandy where Allied troops stormed the shores on D-Day. Drink a beer in the same tavern George Washington frequently visited. Take in views of Lake Huron while rocking on the front porch of one of America’s great railway hotels. Along with providing an authentic glimpse into history, these historic sites also deliver thrilling experiences.

WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL TOUR IMAGE TOURS

Every day, memories of World War II disappear to history: its sites and scenes, its terrors and triumphs, its heroes and heroines. But it’s not the people who fought in Europe during World War II that sign up for Image Tours’ World War II Memorial Tour. They don’t want to return to the beaches of Normandy or the camps in Germany. They already lived it. Many want to forget it. It’s the younger generations that wants to know what their parents or grandparents saw “because they didn’t talk about much of that — and there’s a reason they didn’t talk about it,” said Justin Osbon, sales director for Image Tours. “They [younger people] want to see it with their own eyes to get an idea of what they [older people] experienced.” Image Tours leads groups through World War II history in Germany, France, Austria, Belgium and Holland, while also ensuring that travelers see iconic European landmarks and enjoy quintessential European experiences. In Nuremberg, Germany, the group explores the Nazi party rally grounds where Hitler staged his propaganda rallies and the Palace of Justice, where the War Trials were held. A deeply sobering visit to Dachau Concentration Camp begins at the entrance, where the guide translates the German phrase over the iron gate: “Work Sets You Free.”

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EGYPT’S ICONIC SPHINX

Courtesy Ed-Ventures

In Austria, travelers can take an optional excursion to the Eagle’s Nest, Hitler’s hideaway perched high atop a mountain peak. The group will explore the Belgian Ardennes Region where soldiers fought in the infamous “Battle of the Bulge” and can even see the foxholes used by Easy Company. Image Tours spends an entire day exploring the Normandy landing beaches, which “everyone wants to do; that’s something that’s very high on the list,” Osbon said. The itinerary also includes visits to the Lorraine American Cemetery in Saint-Avold, France, and the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial — all meticulously maintained in honor of “our boys and what they did during World War II.”

HIGHLIGHTS OF EGYPT ED-VENTURES

Egypt attracts travelers who want adventure, who value history and who seek to understand some of civilization’s oldest roots. Ed-Ventures’ Highlights of Egypt itinerary goes beyond the pyramids to immerse travelers in a world that is both modern and ancient, steeped in centuries of culture and millennia of recorded history. “It has that majestic feel; it’s an exotic destination; and people gravitate toward that,” said Shannon Larsen, co-owner of Ed-Ventures. People are always blown away by the size and precision of the pyra-

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mids of Giza; and with the iconic Sphinx in front of them, “they get that double whammy,” Larsen said, not to mention taking a camel ride to get different panoramas or enjoying views from the new visitors center. At the necropolis of Saqqara, the group will see the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the oldest construction of stone in the world. The group visits the Valley of the Kings, where they’ll enter burial chambers of kings and pharaohs and see nearly perfect hieroglyphics in Luxor temples. At the Temple of Hatshepsut, travelers learn about Egypt’s first female ruler. But the trip is not all ancient ruins. The monumental Grand Egyptian Museum will be completed this year and is scheduled to open in 2021, offering access to 100,000 artifacts, including thousands of items from the tomb of Tutankhamun. An enormous statue of Ramses the Great towers in the atrium, and 87 statues of pharaohs and Egyptian gods line the grand staircase. Travelers can also barter in the markets, explore a Nubian cultural village and visit Old Cairo’s ancient church crypts where the Holy Family stayed during their exile. The itinerary includes three nights aboard a Nile River cruise, and guests can swim, snorkel or dive in the Red Sea, “one of the best places in the world to scuba dive,” Larsen said.

HOMES OF THE PRESIDENTS MID ATLANTIC RECEPTIVE SERVICES (MARS)

Mid Atlantic Receptive Services’ Homes of the Presidents itinerary “can be very rich because there’s so much content in the area,” said Kate Scopetti, MARS president. In addition to Washington, D.C., memorials and monuments, the itinerary features the homes of six presidents, and MARS can add additional programming like Woodrow Wilson’s boyhood home or Poplar Forest, Thomas Jefferson’s villa retreat. The program begins at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate. During a guided tour, groups will see the bedroom where Washington died in 1799 and the key to the Bastille that hangs in the hallway. Travelers explore Virginia’s Old Town Alexandria, where they tour Christ Church and can have a beer at Gadsby’s Tavern, just like Washington used to. Groups may tour the White House, though that can be canceled at a moment’s notice; but a trip to the White House Visitor Center “is the next best thing,” Scopetti said. Visitors can watch a film, explore exhibits and interact with a touch-screen table that lets them virtually explore any room in the White House. The group will go inside the President Woodrow

CRUISING THE NILE

THOMAS JEFFERSON’S MONTICELLO Courtesy Ed-Ventures

Courtesy MARS

Wilson House and visit the National Portrait Gallery, which houses U.S. presidents’ official portraits. During a tour of President Abraham Lincoln’s cottage, visitors learn that he spent sumers there during his presidency. During the Civil War, Lincoln observed an active battle and he was shot once through his top hat. James Madison and his wife, Dolley, lived at Montpelier in Virginia. Groups take a docent-led tour of the home, but the site has also updated its programming to represent generations of enslaved people who lived on the estate. At Monticello, Jefferson’s home and mountaintop estate, the visitors center features a museum and film that acclimates guests to Jefferson’s world. Shuttles then take the group to the house, which is riddled with Jefferson’s inventions that are still in use. Guests will see the slave quarters and farmland and stop at the 1784 Michie Tavern for a tour and “the best fried chicken in the world.”

MACKINAC ISLAND, MICHIGAN SHENANDOAH TOURS EGYPTIAN ARCHAEOLOGY

Courtesy Ed-Ventures

It’s not difficult to feel like you’ve traveled back in time on Michigan’s Mackinac Island. No automobiles are allowed on the island, so there’s no traffic or congestion. People get around on foot, on bicycles and on horseback. Groups can arrange horse-drawn carriage rides to explore the island’s coastlines or bike into town to get some of Mackinac’s famous fudge. Most of Mackinac Island in Lake Huron is a state park, but the

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3.8-square-mile island is also home to the Grand Hotel, which has been welcoming guests for 133 years. Railroad and steamship companies opened the hotel in 1887 as a resort destination, and the tradition is alive and well today. Shenandoah Tours’ Mackinac Island itinerary takes groups on a horse-drawn carriage tour of the island, past preserved Victorian houses perched high atop the bluffs to the Grand Hotel. The hotel’s tradition of luxury and leisure is alive and well thanks in large part to being owned by the same family since 1933. After having lunch at the hotel, travelers can shop along the town’s quaint Main Street or visit Fort Mackinac, an 18th-century French, and later British, fort and trading post overlooking the Straits of Mackinac. There, visitors learn about soldiers’ daily lives during the era as costumed re-enactors march, shoot rifles and fire the cannon. When the group ferries back to the mainland, they’ll travel south to Frankenmuth, a German village known as Michigan’s Little Bavaria, which boasts Bavarian-style architecture and Bavarianstyle shops lining the streets. Travelers can stroll over Holz-Brucke, a 239-foot-long replica of a 19th-century covered bridge, and visit Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, the world’s largest Christmas store. In Dearborn, the group will learn more about the history of the American automobile. A behind-the-scenes tour of the Ford Rouge Plant delves into American car manufacturing, and the Henry Ford Museum houses historically significant vehicles and artifacts, like the limousine in which President John F. Kennedy was shot and the chair in which Lincoln was assassinated.

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MACKINAC ISLAND’S GRAND HOTEL Photos courtesy Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau

TRAVEL ALLIANCE PARTNERS We are a full-service receptive tour operator for the Midwest, and a custom tour planning operator for all the US and Canada. Our specialty is customizing that one-of-a-kind, off the beaten path, outside the box itinerary that is exclusive to only one group. We try to AdVance beyond the ordinary to extraordinary group travel. Each itinerary we write is hand-crafted to best fit the specific needs of the travelers.

With offices in AK, AZ, MO, NY, PA and TX, All American Tours operates the perfect all-inclusive tour package for groups of 25 persons or more. We offer a collection of domestic tours throughout North America that are affordable and include 3, 4, and 5 star accommodations, attractions, sightseeing, meals, entertainment and a full-time local guide. In addition, receptive services are offered throughout the USA.

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Choose your adventure, on your terms. Anderson Vacations takes pride in surpassing the expectations of travelers with top-value escorted motorcoach tours, small group tours of distinction, custom groups, self-drive trips, and independent travel options to hundreds of destinations across Canada, New Zealand and Australia. In Canada, we travel from the Atlantic to the Pacific to the Arctic coasts and set the standard for flexible, immersive, experiential travel.

Canada’s premier tour operator of custom designed group programs, scheduled guaranteed departures, professional step-on-guides, destination management services, cruise shore excursions, motorcoach and specialty vehicle chartering and daily sightseeing tours. Core touring products include escorted vacations of the Canadian Maritimes and Newfoundland & Labrador, while also operating tours throughout Canada, the USA and overseas.

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With a full scope of tours, we offer touring at its finest. From preplanned, hosted, group motorcoach tours across the United States, to air, rail, and cruise tours, we help travelers fulfill their dreams, to discover and explore the world. A multitude of hosted, high-quality group tours are offered annually, ranging from one-day tours to multi-day adventures, designed with exciting and unique attractions, great dining opportunities and a friendly atmosphere.

TRAILWAYSTRAVEL.COM Custom Holidays serves all of southeastern Michigan with local, long-distance, and worldwide tours. Personalized service is coupled with the best available components of a tour to make it cost effective, entertaining, and educational. As a small tour operator, clients enjoy very personalized service and we have a good number of repeat travelers.

CUSTOMHOLIDAYSONLINE.COM Durgan Travel is primarily a group travel promoter of tours to Europe and a fullservice retail travel agency. Our primary market is social groups, senior citizens, and fraternal and religious travel. Italy is our number one destination, along with Israel, some domestic destinations and ocean and river cruises.

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CTN Travels is a tour operator specializing in custom group tours to domestic and international destinations. Our primary market is bank travel clubs with a focus on senior and boomer travelers and we market to about 150 banks nationally. CTN Travels offers inbound receptive services to most all southern states.

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We are a family-owned Canadian company with over 60 years of experience developing interesting itineraries for our customer base and custom groups. Our unique long-stay programs in sunny destinations such as FL and SC set us apart from the competition. Our newest specialty is a range of guided hiking tours that combine traditional sightseeing with the chance to get out and explore the area on foot.

DENURETOURS.COM Ed-Ventures’ skilled and multi-lingual staff will embrace travelers’ journeys and dreams to create life-changing and memorable travel experiences. Whether it is to a neighboring city or across the ocean, we understand that every tour is different and strive to create the perfect, customized itinerary and experience for groups on nearly every continent. We are known for journeys of faith and special events to Europe and the Holy Lands.

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Fancy-Free Holidays, a member of the Legacy Travel Group, has been a TAP Partner since 2006. We offer unique and memorable tour and travel experiences to some of the most sought-after, as well as distinctive destinations. We combine stellar customer service with exceptional traveler-focused quality. With a focus on providing a memorable and unique travel experience, customers continue to travel with Fancy-Free Holidays year after year.

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Image Tours is a third-generation family owned and operated escorted Europe Tour Specialist and has been offering tours in Europe since 1939. We offer our signature 15-day HEART OF EUROPE Circle tour. This provides an excellent panoramic view of Europe for first time travelers to Europe, or anyone looking for a great vacation value. Other tours include World War II and Heart of British Isles, plus many more.

We are a fully accredited travel agency and an expert group tour operator with over three decades of success in the industry. What sets us apart is our unfailing commitment to create a oneof-a kind travel experience, designed specifically for our client’s preferences and budget. Each trip is meticulously planned for travelers to have a worry-free and memorable experience. We look forward to partnering with you in creating the trip of a lifetime.

GRANDVIEW.COM We have been fulfilling travel dreams since 1985, specializing in customized group travel for the mature adult market. Joy offers unique, exciting and affordable itineraries for group travelers. Many tours present adventurous options and culinary experiences, with some free time built in for independent exploration. Additional options include independent leisure products, as well as cruises and custom trips for couples and families.

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We arrange travel packages for groups, offer receptive services and provide tour guides for Colorado and the Southwest. Working with historical groups and museums has allowed us to provide tours with strong educational components. Experiential tours for birding and geology have been among the most popular. We enjoy the challenge of finding unusual opportunities and venues and custom-design tours for general sightseeing, high adventure, railroads, geology, eco-tours, agri-tours and just about any other special interests.

Sweet tea and sweet magnolias laced with all genres of music, history and adventure served up with southern hospitality is just a smattering of what the South is all about. We know the south like no other. Tennessee from the Mississippi to the Great Smoky Mountains, Memphis to New Orleans, Alabama and Atlanta through Savannah to Charleston. The possibilities for tours are endless, Come on y’all bring your groups big and small, let’s explore the South… Let’s Experience the South…Let’s Go Travelin’.

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We have been packaging tours for older Americans for more than 35 years. We are always looking to incorporate interesting experiences into itineraries, in hopes of connecting customers to new cultures and cuisines, fascinating people and out of the way places. We are dedicated to the idea that tours should go beyond just sightseeing -- that it’s all about having an experience that you will never forget.

MARS, is the nation’s leading inbound operator to the Mid-Atlantic Region, providing group products and services to Tour and Motorcoach Operators visiting the East Coast including Washington DC, NYC, PA, VA, MD, DE, WV, NJ, NC, SC, GA, and FL. Our outbound company – Mid Atlantic Travel Tours, LLC – provides custom group travel and promotes TAP Guaranteed Departures, as well as other TAP travel throughout the world. Other companies include Go Student Tours, Go Performing and Go Sports Tours.

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Shebby Lee Tours is a receptive operator specializing in the historic and cultural heritage of the Great American West. Our signature program is a six-day hub-and-spoke Black Hills Destination tour in late September, featuring the annual Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup. In addition, we offer a schedule of retail tours to the public at commissionable rates, and custom-design tours of the western United States for pre-formed groups.

We are a full-service tour operator and travel agency, serving the needs of travelers near and far. Our goal has always been to offer a memorable journey filled with unique treasures. We are embarking on our 49th year of providing tours to destinations filled with life- enriching experiences, combined with personalized service. From the historic East Coast to New England’s autumn colors to the wondrous beauty of the West, a unique journey awaits our travelers.

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TRAVEL ALLIANCE PARTNERS We are a full-service sports travel company run by sports fans that strive for all-star performance with every package or tour offered. Travelers can choose from Baseball Road Trips that cover all of the Major League Parks, Gridiron Getaways for pro and college football fans, major sporting events, or Hall of Fame travel packages. Sports Travel and Tours has custom trips and prepackaged tours or FIT’s for nearly every sport.

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Sun Tours was founded with a vision of sightseeing tours with excellent quality and great value. Travelers from around the country join their local New Mexicans to see the world in worry-free comfort. Our tour directors take care of every detail of the trip. They are carefully chosen for their genuine warmth and caring and they create an atmosphere of congeniality and security, in which travelers can relax and enjoy themselves. “We’re with you all the way!”

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We are a multi-dimensional company with 80 years of experience in the travel industry, offering deluxe motorcoach transportation throughout the Midwest and other parts of the lower 48. We offer an assortment of multi-day escorted vacations throughout North America by coach, air, rail and cruise. We also provide escorted packages for a wide variety of private pre-formed groups throughout the Midwest, both domestically and internationally and receptive services out of Chicago and the Great Midwest.

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We are a full-service receptive Tour Operator that has the knowledge and capabilities to provide travelers with unique and personalized experiences. Multiple small group active vacations that are guaranteed departures easily provide travelers with opportunities to create memorable experiences that will last a lifetime. Tours cover a vast area with a variety of activities, from the National Parks and houseboating on Lake Powell, to Pacific Northwest travel, birdwatching and wildlife photography.

SOUTHWESTADVENTURETOURS.COM Talbot Tours specializes in tours and cruises for groups and individuals. We offer tours to the 11 western US states and Canada, along with international destinations to Europe, South America and Asia (most of which are guaranteed departures). Talbot Tours also wholesales several tours, including Costa Rica, Kenya Safaris and New Year’s Eve programs. Receptive services for meetings and conventions in Northern California are also offered.

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Twin Travel Concepts custom-designs group tour programs throughout North America. We are currently rolling out a Small Group Getaway program to smaller, less populated destinations in the East. Unique and creative is what inspires us. Our Heartland office offers group trips out of the Cleveland area. It’s only through listening carefully to you that we can create exciting and unique tours.

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Croswell Tours WILLIAMSBURG, OHIO TRIP: Black Hills and Badlands DATE: August 2020 Using social distancing precautions, Croswell Tours took a group to some of South Dakota’s most famous attractions, such as Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, the Crazy Horse Memorial, Badlands National Park and Historic Deadwood. “Mount Rushmore is always a tour favorite, especially the lighting ceremony. Our group had a fantastic time and especially enjoyed the guided tours of the Black Hills area and Deadwood. They were able to see a variety of wildlife as well. Since we own our own buses, we were able to reconfigure them from 54 to 30 seats, spacing them out fairly well. This has been really popular with our passengers. They have loved the extra space on board. We have included motorcoach munchies on all our tours, which is just a Croswell goodie bag of snacks to enjoy along the way.”

— MELISSA TAYLOR, TOUR ADMINISTRATOR

Blessed Byways Tours OSKALOOSA, IOWA TRIP: Santa’s Lost His Marbles DATE: November 2019 Blessed Byways Tours sent a group on a mystery tour of Kansas. The group visited lesser-known attractions for an eclectic and fun tour. Some of the Kansas stops included Old Brick Town in Wichita, the historic Beaumont Hotel in Beaumont, a decorated outhouse in Elk Falls, Mr. K’s Farmhouse in Abilene and a dinner served by the Harvey Girls in Leavenworth. “Before we left, we contacted hotels, restaurants and attractions where we would be stopping and told them what we would be doing. We asked if they would hide marbles for our folks to find. They really got into it. We dressed as Mr. and Mrs. Claus and handed out little plastic treat bags with Santa’s face on them for folks to put found marbles in. The winner of the grand prize was the traveler who found the most of Santa’s lost marbles.”

— BURDELL AND CHARLOTTE HENSLEY, OWNERS

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WE’VE GOT THE CURE. Being cooped up inside can cause a real case of cabin fever and the 2020 Blues, so load up the family or friends and head this way for a dose of the good kind of blues. You can start at the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center—where social distancing is easy—and understand the tough road B.B. King traveled before becoming one of the most beloved musicians of all time. Ranked by Trip Advisor in the Top Ten Percent of all listed properties, the museum features films and exhibits that weave a fascinating story of an icon and his birthplace. Make sure to also stop at nearby Mississippi Blues Trail markers that further explain the important music heritage of the area. Go ahead and crank up some B.B. tunes to get primed for this perfect day trip of enjoying fabulous meals from unique restaurants as well as shopping for locally produced gourmet food items. We can almost guarantee that the real blues will be the prescription you need.

400 Second Street • bbkingmuseum.org We are following adapted tourism practices to promote responsible Travel / Best Practices from the CDC on COVID-19 for the Tourism Industry.