Now more than ever, educators should have someone they can rely on to help with their student travel experiences.
The Student & Youth Travel Association (SYTA) is the premier organization for businesses dedicated to providing young people with life enhancing travel experience. The association of 140 tour operators, and more than 900 suppliers and destinations, sets the student travel industry standards to help students, parents, educators, performance leaders and directors experience travel’s social and educational value.
One of the greatest advantages to using a tour operator, rather than plan a student group trip on your own, is benefitting from the relationships operators have with various vendors, such as hotels and attractions. Operators cultivate these relationships over many years through networking, conferences and meetings with associations such as SYTA. As a result, the tour operators build volume over time and that means leverage in securing group rates, VIP access and tickets that an individual would not be able to get on their own.
These relationships have proven their value during times of crisis—particularly the COVID-19 national emergency. As destinations and attractions have closed, the airlines cancel and reduce flights, the tour operators have been able to take advantage of their relationships with vendors to get faster, more accurate and better resolutions to problems.
It’s also important to note that the majority of SYTA members are former educators or their families have been in the business for years. Providing student travel is their sole focus. SYTA members are passionate about the impact of travel and experiences have on youth and often travel with student groups to guide and provide expert assistance.
SYTA members are trusted professionals, and use best practices through SYTA’s advocacy, education, training, and networking opportunities. They attend conferences, meet new vendors and learn about new destinations, attractions, restaurants, and hotels that provide further customer options. They participate in conferences and virtual learning to improve their safety, crisis, and emergency response plans; they are equipped with the knowledge to lead and support your groups during an emergency and provide critical support to youth and their families. They know where emergency and medical facilities are located, at all points along your travels.
Student Group Travel Moving Forward
We know students are going to be traveling again, and SYTA members are here for you when that planning begins. The safety and wellbeing of our student travelers is our top priority. In the light of the ongoing pandemic, we are fully committed to providing continued safe guidance, expertise and travel assistance for you when you beginning to reschedule travel plans affected by the coronavirus.
To see more guidance, see SYTA’s COVID-19: Educator Resource Guide for Student Group Travel.
Courtesy of SYTA.
