Anchorage, Alaska – (April 6, 2017) Travel Alliance Partners LLC (TAP) announces their upcoming 15-year corporate anniversary taking place on April 17, 2017.

TAP founder Serge Talbot of San Jose, CA-based Talbot Tours summarizes the history of the early days of TAP:

It was a cold winter’s day on November 14, 2000, when eighteen tour operators met in a small room on the 7th floor of the Shilo Inn. During that meeting in Salt Lake City, a profound idea was born.  Egos and competitive shields were left at the door. Like-minded operators rolled up their sleeves and challenged each other to embark on a new and exciting direction in the tourism industry.

More products to buy and sell emerged, because no single tour company can package them all. A heightened respect for suppliers and destination management organizations evolved as a result of a deeper appreciation for their role in the development of a successful tour and mutual trust fostered our thirst for growth and creativity.  

It was nearly a year and a half later when we formally became a corporation, on April 17, 2002.  While today we are a combination of charter, equity and affiliate members, and have passed the gavel several times, we have held fast to those original principles.  My personal pride in what has been accomplished is a tribute to each of you and the contribution you’ve made.

Thank you, dear friends and partners, for all you are to this organization.

TAP tour operator members congratulate our industry partners on this important milestone which was reached through a solid commitment to partnerships. We share this anniversary with former tour operator members, to our cooperative marketing partners in the guild program, to our strategic association partners and global preferred professional travel providers (internally known as PPTPs and “suppliers” outside of TAP).  Working together continues to be the driving force behind not just tour operators buying and selling product, but also extends to TAP clients who now benefit from educational programs and other opportunities which enhance their business.