Tour and Travel Companies | MORAL COMPASS: Great Places to Go Where the Going Does Good

Limited-Time Promotion Runs July 17–29, 2026

Take advantage of Xanterra Travel Collection’s “Christmas in July” sale, July 17–29, at the historic El Tovar Hotel and the Grand Canyon Railway, on the south rim of Grand Canyon National Park © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Denver, CO — June 25, 2026 — This summer, the holiday spirit arrives early thanks to Xanterra Travel Collection®’s Christmas in July Sale, running July 17–29, 2026. For a limited time, travelers can unwrap exclusive savings on iconic national park stays, yacht-style cruises, cycling and walking tours, luxury resorts, a historic train ride, and other global adventures.

From the geothermal wonders of Yellowstone and the awe-inspiring vistas of the Grand Canyon to the otherworldly landscapes of Death Valley National Park and the coastal luxury of Sea Island, travelers can take advantage of special offers designed to inspire unforgettable journeys.

All deals can be accessed at www.xanterra.com/christmas-in-july-sale.

Featured Christmas in July Offers

Yellowstone National Park Lodges

Explore the enchantment of the world’s first national park. Covering 2.2 million acres, Yellowstone is home to an incredible array of wildlife, boasting more geysers, hot springs, and geothermal features than any other place on Earth.

Save 25% at Canyon Lodge, Grant Village, Lake Hotel, Lake Lodge, Bridge Bay Campground and Grant Campground. Save 20% at Old Faithful Inn, Old Faithful Snow Lodge and Mammoth Hotel. Eligible stay dates are July 17, 2026 through March 3, 2027.

Grand Canyon, South Rim

Marvel at the breathtaking views and historic charm of one of the world’s most iconic natural wonders. “The eternal yet ever-evolving Grand Canyon is as mystical and awe-inspiring as ever.” – Sunset Magazine, May 2026

Save 20% at El Tovar Hotel and 30% at Bright Angel Lodge, Kachina Lodge, Thunderbird Lodge, or Maswik Lodge for stays between July 15, 2026 and March 4, 2027.
Save 20% at The Grand Hotel at The Grand Canyon for stays between July 17, 2026, and March 4, 2027.
Save 30% at Grand Canyon Hotel & Suites for stays between July 17, 2026, and March 4, 2027.

Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel

Take a nostalgic journey to the canyon aboard a vintage train and stay in comfort in Williams, Arizona.

Stay 2, 3 or 4 nights with the Stay and Save Platinum Package at Grand Canyon Railway Hotel and save 50% on roundtrip tickets for all classes of service on the train.

Stay 2, 3 or 4 nights at Grand Canyon Railway Hotel and save 50% off your train fare, receive a $20 Gift Shop Certificate, and allow us to take care of your meals with the Canyon Rails Getaway Platinum Package.
AAA Members stay 2, 3 or 4 nights with the Rails to the Rim Platinum Package at Grand Canyon Railway Hotel and save 50% on all classes of service on the train.
Save with $125 Hotel rates for standard rooms on select dates for the Polar Express packages, a holiday experience like no other.

The Oasis at Death Valley

Most people avoid Death Valley in summer — after all, it’s the hottest place on Earth. But this is when The Oasis at Death Valley comes alive, with early morning golfing, natural spring-fed pools, and some of the most spectacular stargazing in the world.

Save 30% on room rates at both The Inn and The Ranch for stays between July 15, 2026 – January 14, 2027.

Cedar Creek Lodge

The 64-room Cedar Creek Lodge and Conference Center is a AAA Three Diamond property located just outside Glacier National Park, serving as the perfect home base for hiking, biking, world-renowned river fishing, and more.

Save 30% at Cedar Creek Lodge for stays between October 12, 2026 – March 31, 2027.

Holiday Vacations

Step into the wonder of the holidays with a journey to one of the most enchanting destinations across the country. Experience a traditional German Christmas market, wander the candlelit halls of the Biltmore Estate, enjoy performances in Music City USA, be swept away by the magic of The Nutcracker™ at Lincoln Center, or soak up the sun at America’s grandest New Year’s event.

Take $200 off any 2026 Christmas tour, including New York City at Christmastime, Smoky Mountain Christmas, Nashville Holiday Extravaganza, Christmastime in British Columbia, Chicago at Christmastime, and Pasadena Rose Parade.

VBT | Country Walkers

For those who want to go deeper, VBT | Country Walkers tours allow travelers to experience a destination with the help of a local leader who guides small groups through the world’s most beautiful destinations.

Save 5% when you book any 2027 vacation and pay in full by November 19, 2026.

Windstar Cruises

Windstar Cruises operates an eight-ship fleet of small sailing and all-suite yachts visiting over 330 ports, including Europe, the Caribbean, Costa Rica and the Panama Canal, Asia, Alaska, Canada & New Zealand, and cruising year-round in Tahiti.

Enjoy the complimentary All-Inclusive package, plus $300 onboard credit per stateroom and $300 reduced deposit on cruises through December 31, 2027.

Sea Island

Tucked away on the southeastern coast of Georgia, Sea Island boasts five miles of private beach and a lush natural world to explore. An exceptional destination fueled by gracious service and timeless luxury since 1928.

Receive 25% off at The Cloister and The Lodge or 15% off Cottage Rentals for stays November 29 – December 23. Plus, receive a $250 Resort Credit per stay.

The Broadmoor

Experience a pristine Colorado Springs resort where personalized luxury offers an escape from the ordinary and modern details blend seamlessly with classic European elegance.

Save 30% on your stay at The Broadmoor for select dates November 1, 2026 through April 30, 2027.

Xanterra Travel Collection^® has operations in national parks, including lodges, restaurants, tours and activities in Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Glacier, and Rocky Mountain National Parks, and Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Xanterra Travel Collection^® also owns and operates Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel in Williams, Ariz., The Grand Hotel and The Grand Canyon Hotel & Suites in Tusayan, Ariz., The Oasis at Death Valley in Death Valley Calif., Windstar Cruises, Holiday Vacations, VBT | Country Walkers. Xanterra is also affiliated with two Forbes Five-Star Resorts, The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, CO and Sea Island on the coast of Georgia.

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Wilderness Voyageurs bike tour heads out through Badlands National Park, South Dakota. Leading tour operators associations in the US, Canada and Europe have issued Tourcare Guidelines to inspire consumer confidence and insure safe, exceptional travel experiences © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

NEW YORK – Leading tour operator associations in the US, Canada, and Europe have collaborated on a set of health and sanitization guidelines specifically for their tour operator members called TOURCARE Guidelines for Tour Operators.

Developed by the Canadian Association of Tour Operators (CATO), the European Tourism Association (ETOA), and the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA), the guidelines establish recommended procedures for tour operators to provide protection for travelers against the transmission of COVID-19. The full set of TOURCARE Guidelines for Tour Operators can be found at https://ustoa.com/covid19/tour-care-guidelines.

With travel bans limiting international travel, travelers are discovering exotic, exciting experiences and places to explore within their own borders and relying on travel professionals more than ever to provide a safe travel experience.

In announcing the guidelines, USTOA President and CEO Terry Dale, ETOA Chief Executive Tom Jenkins, and CATO Executive Director Pierre LaPage said jointly: “By their very nature, tour products are complex, involving many different variables that are under the watchful eye of the tour operator, yet not every element fully under their control. We felt that our members – and the tour operator industry as a whole – would benefit from one set of guidelines developed with their specific needs top-of-mind. The TOURCARE Guidelines will help our tour operator members fulfill their mission to safeguard the health and wellbeing of their passengers while continuing to provide exceptional travel experiences in destinations around the world.”

The TOURCARE Guidelines provide direction for tour operators across all touch-points of a trip – staff, suppliers, and passengers – to ensure that health and sanitization protections are in place for each stakeholder and the communities visited. Sanitization procedures recommended are those issued by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC), and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), as well as local governmental health authorities.

The guidelines include measures for training and sanitization for staff in contact with passengers while traveling, such as outfitting each with appropriate personal protection equipment and promoting physical distancing.

Tour operators are encouraged to work with suppliers who comply with local health and government authority requirements, as well as employ touch-less solutions for ticketing and processing wherever possible.

Because travel is a shared experience, passengers, too, have certain responsibilities. TOURCARE Guidelines recommend that tour operators ask passengers to disclose their COVID-19 exposure prior to departure and agree to adhere to all recommended and required health and sanitization procedures including wearing of masks, gloves, and social distancing where appropriate.

Each association has shared the TOURCARE Guidelines with all tour operator members, along with the “TC” logo as a mark of compliance to display as appropriately on websites and other communication with suppliers, passengers, and travel advisors.

For more information on USTOA, visit www.ustoa.com; CATO at cato.ca, and ETOA at etoa.org.

Representing nearly $19 billion in revenue, the member companies of U.S. Tour Operators Association provide tours, packages and custom arrangements that allow 9.8 million travelers annually unparalleled access, insider knowledge, peace-of-mind, value and freedom to enjoy destinations and experiences across the entire globe. Each member company has met the travel industry’s highest standards, including participation in the USTOA’s Travelers Assistance Program, which protects consumer payments up to $1 million if the company goes out of business. As a voice for the tour operator industry for more than 40 years, USTOA also provides education and assistance for consumers and travel agents.

CATO, the Canadian Association of Tour Operators represents the most respected companies with offices in Canada, operating tour programs and packages from Canada to international destinations, trans-border as well as inbound to Canada and intra-Canada.

The Association is composed of like-minded tour companies – represented by their owners and senior executives who speak not only for their respective companies, but just as importantly, for the industry.

ETOA is the trade association for tour operators and suppliers in European destinations, from global brands to local independent businesses. The membership includes tour and online operators, intermediaries and wholesalers, European tourist boards, hotels, attractions, technology companies and other tourism and business service providers.

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