Tour Operators Optimistic for 2021 Recovery, USTOA Survey Finds Tour operators are optimistic for a travel recovery in 2021. That’s according to new findings from the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) about current passenger booking trends, post-pandemic recovery, and resumption of business. According to the survey, eight out of 10 USTOA Active Members are “enthusiastic” to “cautiously optimistic” for a complete resumption of business by the end of 2021. Half (49%) are “cautiously optimistic;” 24% are “optimistic,” and roughly 7% are “enthusiastic.” A smaller percentage, 11%, are “not optimistic,” and 9% are feeling “negative.” An overwhelming 96% of responding tour operators have seen an increase in new bookings in the last 60 days. The remaining 4% said bookings remained flat with no change in either direction.