Far Horizons
On becoming a G.O.
In the travel industry, G.O. is the abbreviation for the term “group organizer.” Most ITN readers probably know at least one person who has functioned as a G.O. Who are G.O.s?
Tour director training and employment
Nearly nine years ago, in the May 1998 issue, I wrote an article entitled “So You Think You Want to Be a Tour Director.” It is time for an update on the opportunities for employment as a tour director, which include working as a local or regional guide. ITMI 2007 Symposium
Mendoza — wine and more
I had the opportunity to travel to Mendoza, the attractive city of 100,000-plus in the heart of northern Argentina’s booming viticulture region, in April ’06.
San Blas Islands, Panama
(Fourth of four parts, jump to part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4
The Panama Highlands
(Third of four parts, jump to part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4
Touring from Panama City
(Second of four parts, jump to part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4
Adventure at Tranquilo Bay Resort
(First of four parts, jump to part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4
Small group travel — who’s in charge?
In this edition of “Under the Microscope,” I will examine an important aspect of the greatly increasing trend toward small-group travel. In terms of who is in charge of leading groups, including solving any problems encountered along the way, how are these groups operated on the ground by tour companies?
China adventure: Chongqing, Xi’an and Beijing
by Randy Keck (Third of three parts, jump to part 1, part 2,
China adventure: The Yangtze River and the Three Gorges
(Second of three parts, jump to part 1, part 2,
Changing hotel rooms at and after check-in
There are times when travelers arrive at a hotel or other accommodation to find that they wish to change from the room they have been assigned, even though it is of the room type and category they requested and reserved.
The case of the lost room
Most seasoned travelers at one time or another have arrived at a hotel with a reservation in hand only to be informed that the type of room they thought they had reserved was not available.
The long-haul, single-destination group tour — from the inside
Previously I have written on the subject of one of the rarest categories of all touring offerings in the U.S. outbound travel marketplace: the long-haul, single-destination group tour (LHSDGT), in this article to be referred to as LT.
Chile’s Colchagua Valley
Two hours’ drive south of Santiago lies one of Chile’s most renowned wine-producing regions, Valle de Colchagua. On my last visit to Chile, in February ’05, I had the opportunity to visit, albeit too briefly, this impressive valley of abundance on the Ruta del Vino.