The tour operator industry is a sector that specializes in organizing and facilitating travel experiences and adventures for individuals and groups. These companies offer a wide range of services, including guided tours, specialized itineraries, accommodations, transportation, and unique experiences. Tour operator companies cater to various niches such as adventure travel, educational tours, luxury experiences, and eco-tourism. They work closely with travel agencies, local businesses, and experts in different fields to create curated and memorable trips for their customers.The industry is constantly evolving, with companies adapting to changing customer preferences and technological advancements. There is a growing emphasis on sustainable and responsible tourism, as well as personalized and immersive experiences. The rise of social media and online platforms has also influenced the industry, allowing companies to reach a larger audience and offer more tailored experiences. In the future, there is an opportunity for tour operators to integrate virtual reality and other innovative technologies into their offerings, providing customers with even more immersive and unique travel experiences.


Top 23 Tour Operator Companies in the US

1. EF Educational Tours

  • Headquarter: Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
  • Founded: 1965
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • LinkedIn

EF Tours is a company that offers educational travel programs and tours for students. They provide curated itineraries with hands-on experiences and collaborations with experts in various fields. With a focus on experiential learning, EF Tours aims to open the world through education and inspire a new perspective on the world.

2. Lindblad Expeditions

  • Headquarter: New York, New York, United States
  • Founded: 1979
  • Headcount: 501-1000
  • LinkedIn

Expeditions.com is a travel company that offers expeditions to various destinations worldwide, including Africa, Antarctica, Alaska, and more. They provide exclusive itineraries and knowledgeable expedition specialists to guide travelers on their extraordinary journeys.

3. Contiki

  • Headquarter: Cypress, California, United States
  • Founded: 1962
  • Headcount: 501-1000
  • LinkedIn

Contiki.com is a travel company that offers unique and immersive travel experiences for young adults. With a focus on adventurous destinations and group travel, they provide guided tours, accommodations, and local experiences to create unforgettable trips for their customers.

4. Backroads

  • Headquarter: Berkeley, California, United States
  • Founded: 1979
  • Headcount: 501-1000
  • LinkedIn

Backroads.com offers active travel experiences around the world, allowing travelers to explore destinations through biking, hiking, and multi-adventure tours. With superb hotels, meals, and knowledgeable Trip Leaders, Backroads provides flexibility for travelers to discover the world on their own terms.

5. Quark Expeditions

  • Headquarter: Seattle, Washington, United States
  • Founded: 1991
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • LinkedIn

Quark Expeditions is a leading provider of polar adventure travel. They offer explorations of the Antarctic and Arctic regions, providing unparalleled experiences in remote and untouched nature. With a focus on rich wildlife, stimulating history, and majestic landscapes, Quark Expeditions takes travelers on unforgettable journeys to the ends of the Earth.

6. PINK Adventure Tours

  • Headquarter: Sedona, Arizona, United States
  • Founded: 1960
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • LinkedIn

Pink Adventure Tours offers thrilling off-road adventure tours in various destinations such as Sedona, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Smoky Mountains, and Branson. They provide fully customized Pink Jeep Wranglers for a comfortable and safe tour experience.

7. African Travel, Inc. - We Know Africa

  • Headquarter: Glendale, California, United States
  • Founded: 1976
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • LinkedIn

African Travel, Inc. is a travel company specializing in safari vacations and experiences across various destinations in Africa. They offer a wide range of safari vacation packages for different customer groups, including families, couples, and adventure seekers. With their passionate experts and extensive knowledge of Africa, African Travel, Inc. promises to provide unforgettable and tailored trips filled with memorable moments. They take pride in every detail, ensuring that each journey is meaningful and impactful. Explore the wild wonders of Africa with African Travel, Inc.

8. Trek Travel

  • Headquarter: Madison, Wisconsin, United States
  • Founded: 2003
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • LinkedIn

Trek Travel is a company that offers guided bike tours and rentals in various destinations worldwide. They provide a wide range of tour styles and bikes, including high-quality Trek models. Their offerings include classic guided tours, self-guided trips, ride camps, custom tours, and cross-country adventures.

9. Mountain Madness

  • Headquarter: Seattle, Washington, United States
  • Founded: 1984
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

Mountain Madness is a company that offers mountaineering and backcountry ski touring experiences in various locations around the world. With certified staff and experienced guides, they provide expert guidance and support for expeditions and treks, including trips to the Seven Summits and other iconic mountain ranges.

10. AAM's Mild to Wild Rafting and Jeep Trail Tours, Inc.

  • Headquarter: Durango, Colorado, United States
  • Founded: 1994
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • LinkedIn

Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Tours offers exhilarating outdoor adventures in Moab and Durango. They provide whitewater rafting trips on rivers like Yampa and Green, as well as Jeep tours of Mesa Verde and Durango. With experienced guides and a focus on safety, they offer a thrilling and unforgettable experience for all adventure enthusiasts.

11. EF Ultimate Break

  • Headquarter: Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
  • Founded: 2003
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

EF Ultimate Break is a travel company that offers group trips to various destinations around the world. With a focus on young and fun travelers, they provide a stress-free and affordable way to explore different countries. From Europe to Latin America, Africa to Asia, they offer a wide range of trips and experiences to suit different preferences.

12. Easy Rider Tours

  • Headquarter: United States
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

Easy Rider Tours is a company that offers authentic adventures by bike in Europe, Canada, and New England. With over three decades of experience, they specialize in guided bicycle vacations and self-guided bike tours. They provide a wide range of tour options, including custom tours and private trips, allowing cyclists to explore beautiful landscapes, vineyards, and castles. Easy Rider Tours has a dedicated team of talented guides and provides top-notch service to their guests.

13. Tenon Tours

  • Headquarter: Lewes, Delaware, United States
  • Founded: 2007
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

Tenon Tours offers guided tours and travel experiences in Europe, including destinations such as Northern Europe and Western Europe. With a focus on adventure, the company provides opportunities for outdoor exploration, cultural immersion, and unique travel experiences. From Northern Lights viewing to culinary tours and self-drive adventures, Tenon Tours offers a wide range of options for travelers.

14. New Way Travel

  • Headquarter: Miami, Florida, United States
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

New Way Travel Co., Ltd. is a professional travel agency that has been serving customers since 1997. They offer tailor-made travel experiences and packages for individuals, groups, and MICE in Thailand. With a wide range of services, they cater to customers from various countries including China, Hong Kong, and Thailand.

15. Grace Tours

  • Headquarter: Orlando, Florida, United States
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

Grace Tours is a travel company offering customized and group tours in India, specializing in Ayurveda retreats, cultural experiences, and natural attractions.

16. Kalos Golf

  • Headquarter: Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

Kalos Golf specializes in offering luxury golf tours and cruises to top destinations around the world. They provide a unique travel experience that combines exceptional golf courses with cultural and historic excursions, ensuring a memorable vacation for golf enthusiasts and their partners.

17. Holiday River Expeditions

  • Headquarter: Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
  • Founded: 1966
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

Bikeraft.com offers multi-day whitewater rafting and mountain biking trips in Utah and Colorado Plateau. With extensive experience and quality staff, they provide unforgettable adventure vacations. Their diverse trip options cater to both white water rafting enthusiasts and Moab mountain biking enthusiasts.

18. Royal Holidays

  • Headquarter: Colombo 03, Western, United States
  • Founded: 2010
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

Royal Holidays Sri Lanka is a travel company offering a wide range of tours and travel services in Sri Lanka. They specialize in beach tours, culture and heritage tours, pilgrimage tours, hill country tours, leisure tours, luxury tours, romantic tours, untouched tours, and wildlife and adventure tours.

19. inGamba Tours

  • Headquarter: Sausalito, California, United States
  • Founded: 2011
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

inGamba is a cycling tour company that combines the best cycling experiences with delicious local food and wine. They offer guided cycling trips in the US and Europe, providing a dream vacation for cycling enthusiasts.

20. Link Travel

  • Headquarter: Medellín, Antioquia, United States
  • Founded: 2015
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

Link Travel Colombia S.A.S. is a travel company that offers various travel packages and itineraries to destinations all over the world. With a focus on creating unique and unforgettable experiences, the company caters to different types of travelers, including quinceañeras, individuals, and groups. Their services include planning and organizing trips, providing accommodations and tours, and handling all travel logistics. Whether it's exploring Europe, experiencing different cultures in Africa and Istanbul, or enjoying a cruise vacation, Link Travel Colombia S.A.S. helps make travel dreams a reality.

21. Charleston Harbor Tours

  • Headquarter: Charleston, South Carolina, United States
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

Charleston Harbor Tours offers sightseeing cruises and boat tours in Charleston, South Carolina. Experience the beauty of Charleston Harbor and learn about the rich history of the Holy City. They offer daily harbor tours, themed and dining cruises, and private events. Customers can enjoy relaxing sails, stunning views of Charleston, and the chance to see dolphins. The company provides a variety of tour options to cater to different preferences and occasions.

22. Xanterra

  • Headquarter: Greenwood Village, Colorado, United States
  • Founded: 1876
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • LinkedIn

Xanterra Travel Collection® has been operating in legendary destinations for over 150 years, providing up close access and uncommon expertise for truly exclusive, unforgettable experiences.

23. Azure

  • Headquarter: Chester, England, United States
  • Founded: 2002
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

Azure Collection is a luxury travel company that offers tailor-made holidays and all-inclusive cruise vacations.

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