Hello All! Is there a master list of recommended travel agents/ tour operators? Aside, from combing the discussions, is there another resource? I understand TCC doesn't officially endorse anyone, but perhaps a member-built list "at your own risk"?
My wife is a travel agent that specializes in family travel. She values regional expertise since she holds herself to the same principle and only books destinations that she has personally been to. Those do not include Africa or Middle East so I'm on the hunt for some help. I could use some help with multi-country trips along the road less traveled. Group tours are okay. If the company can customize something that's great too. Lesser-traveled countries a must.
TIA
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Hi Ryan - I plan corporate incentive reward trips to exotic destinations for large groups......anywhere from 25 people up to thousands. I have worked in 123 countries and travel logistics are my specialty. I am very familiar with Africa (S. Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda) and a lot of places in the Middle East. If you wife ever needs assistance, just have her give me a shout! Kim Hester
I used "Somaliland Travel" for a tailor made itinerary in Somaliland.
I have also used Karakorum International Jeep Tours (KIJT) for northern Pakistan and highly recommend them. They are a tiny UK company with one partner a native of Gilgit and a jeep mechanic. They do fixed departure small group tours and tailor made trips. I am taking another tailor made trip with them in July 2022.
Finally, I have had several trips organized by Countryside Adventure Holidays from Mumbai, India and can't praise them enough. Milind Bhide that owner has become a friend over the years. Most recently they organized a tour to Ladakh in winter 2020 (just before the pandemic) to look for snow leopards. Prior to that I also went twice with their groups to Mt Kailash in Tibet to complete the pilgrim circuit of the mountain. If you are looking for Indai/Nepal trekking or cultural tours they have some group trips and can tailor make anything that you are looking for.
No I was not aware that International Travel News was ending publication. Thanks for the heads up.
Thanks, Merry Jo! I've gleaned some additional operators from other posts too. Did you see International Travel News is ending its publication? I'm going to jump on for the back issues.
We just traveled to Saudi Arabia with Wild Frontiers and were extremely happy.
I'm not sure of a master list.
We read International Travel News and several local companies advertise in there.