Trusted Innovators in Cultural Travel Since 1950 www.academic-travel.com We are a donor cultivation travel expert. We want to go deep. We want to be immersed.
WHO WE ARE
We are an educational travel provider for some of this country’s most prestigious organizations. We are a study abroad provider for undergraduates universities across the United States. We are a professional delegation organizer and association travel manager. We are an eco-certified company that donates time and money to philanthropic organizations around the world. With an identity as
unique and complex as ours, here’s what makes us stand out as a cohesive company: We love what we do. Whether we are sitting (or standing!) at our desks or out on the road, we travel to a myriad of countries every day—researching, exploring, connecting, and speaking languages from Italian and French to Arabic and Mandarin. Every one of our staff has a deeply-rooted respect for culture, for nature, for people. We have no patience for the cursory, the superficial. We want to grasp the nuances. We want to change perspectives, deepen understanding, and engage communities. We invite you to travel with us. On every one of our travel programs, travel deeper.
JEDI Update! Take a look at our 2023 JEDI efforts from our annual report below https://loom.ly/6t8NXpI
Our annual update on the actions taken to transform our workplace, programs, and industries to be more just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive (JEDI).
On June 6, 1944, Allied forces launched Operation Overlord, a pivotal moment in history that changed the course of WWII. Today, we are honored to have over 200 travelers in Normandy, France to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
ATA Executive Vice President, Chase Poffenberger, spoke today at the National Tour Association (NTA) Contact Conference in St. John's, Newfoundland. She was a panelist at a session titled “From Inspiration to Implementation: Kickstart Your Sustainability Program.”
Chase has played a pivotal role in ATA's sustainability journey. In 2022, ATA launched a 10-year sustainability plan and signed the Glasgow Declaration, upholding our commitment to climate action in tourism. Her insight and expertise will undoubtedly offer valuable guidance to other organizations looking to make a positive impact. Let us work together to create a sustainable future for generations to come! 🌱 https://ntacontact.com/
Our Q1 Newsletter is here! Check out our blog to see what's happening at ATA! https://loom.ly/faKPE4U
After over two years of disruption in the travel industry, the past 12 months have felt as close as possible to a “normal” year. But what did that really look like? We launched new partnerships, prioritized diversity and sustainability efforts, and curated many educational travel experiences at ...
Eclipse day is here, and we are thrilled to be a part of this special program!
We’re thrilled to announce a new partnership with Sur La Table!
https://loom.ly/H6PdsXA
Our annual update on the actions taken to transform our workplace, programs, and industries to be more just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive (JEDI).
From the newsroom to international travel! This article highlights one of our partners The Post and Courier Travel, and how they intertwine the two. https://loom.ly/mL_hHyk
In an era when local newsrooms are looking for creative ways to bring in revenue, The Post and Courier of Charleston, South Carolina, is putting its latest bet on a new high-end international travel program hosted by Editor-in-Chief Autumn Phillips.
From iconic stately homes to moss covered oaks, explore the compelling history and culture of African Americans in the Lowcountry. Learn more about this Smithsonian Journeys trip below!
Smithsonian Journeys invites you to delve into the compelling histories of African American culture in the Lowcountry.
Did you miss our latest newsletter? Our 4th quarter updates are available on our blog. Sign up on our website to receive the next quarterly newsletter straight to your inbox! https://loom.ly/3HWCu4o
After over two years of disruption in the travel industry, the past 12 months have felt as close as possible to a “normal” year. But what did that really look like? We launched new partnerships, prioritized diversity and sustainability efforts, and curated many educational travel experiences at ...
Can travel be an act of peacemaking? We strongly believe in the power of dual narrative tours and are proud to partner with Mejdi Tours, co-owned by a Palestinian Arab and an American Jew, who authored this thoughtful piece. https://loom.ly/nPPB1bA
Two peacemakers and business partners—one Jewish and one Palestinian—offer ideas for how travelers can turn into "citizen diplomats."
As we embark on the new year, let's reflect on all we experienced in 2023. Wishing you all a happy and prosperous new year! https://loom.ly/EYBoen8
The past 12 months have felt as close to a “normal” year as possible, and that is cause for celebration! Read on to see our highlights from 2023!
Warmest wishes for a joyous holiday season and a happy new year! In observance of the holidays, our office will be closed on December 25th and January 1st.
We’re big fans of Marissa Mullen and super excited to have her back in the studio to talk about the keys to winning the holiday entertaining game (mostly through cheese), and also reveal some details…
I am excited to announce a new adventure with Wondrium and Academic Travel Abroad — Wondrium Journeys! Join me for 7 days, and 6 nights in Austria for “Great Music Masters of Vienna”! Save $250 when you book before the end of the year: https://www.wondriumjourneys.com/musicmasters
During the 200th anniversary of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony premiere, we'll explore the legacy of the city’s music masters. Follow the footsteps of Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert to the homes where they composed, the palaces where they performed, and the cafés and shops they frequented. Through private tours and concerts and an excursion to Baden bie Wien, delve deep into the circumstances and personalities that shaped their incomparable bodies of work.
Read about our growing lineup of culinary tours and more in our latest quarterly newsletter!
What better way to explore a country than through food? What started as the occasional food tour swiftly evolved into a robust lineup of culinary experiences. This thriving travel segment is in high demand and has become an integral part of our business.
"The New Yorker piece by Agnes Callard lit up the summer as it made a case against travel. Check out ATA President Kate Simpson's take on the argument about the power of connection and discovery!"
The Case FOR Travel: Life Enriched by Kate Simpson, President There was quite a brouhaha in the world of travel writing this summer. A professor of philosophy at the University of Chicago, Agnes Callard, wrote a piece in The New Yorker published at the end of June and entitled The Case Against Trave...
Summer is here! Check out our Q2 Newsletter for some awesome updates!
ATA’s Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI) Action Plan consists of specific long-term goals to work towards transforming our workplace, programs, and industries to be more just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive. Every employee contributes to this work, and at the end of every year we com...
We're recruiting for a Senior Guest Services Advisor (SGSA)! SGAs are our operational experts and work with in-country suppliers and destination management companies to ensure a positive travel experience on the ground. We're looking for someone with 2 years of experience working in the travel industry with a tour operator, DMC, or hotel in group sales.
At ATA, we are committed to work/life balance. Our benefits include a 30-hour workweek, 27 days of PTO, plus 11 holidays and 24 hours of paid volunteer leave. Interested? Apply today! http://ow.ly/qgVY50MYvq4
We're looking for a Marketing & Production Coordinator to join our team! Are you a self-starter with an eye for design and a passion for travel? If so, visit our website to learn more about the role and how to apply: http://ow.ly/ckr350MNgWq
As we look forward to what 2023 has in store, we also took the time to reflect on all we experienced in 2022. Wishing you all a happy and prosperous new year!
https://academic-travel.com/blog/2022-year-in-review/
A Year of Firsts! As 2022 comes to a close, we look back on the many ways that our year astonished, changed, and motivated us! In Educational Travel We operated over 40 programs in 2022, and 14 were with new partners! These included Wondrium, Boca Grande Community Center, ArtNews, Zagat, Decanter, C...
Now is your chance to join our team of amazing colleagues! We are currently recruiting for a Program Manager and Guest Services Advisor. Learn more and find out how to apply on our website: https://academic-travel.com/about/careers/job-openings/
Catch up on our latest updates by reading our Q3 Newsletter! Receive future newsletters straight to your inbox by clicking the link and signing up.
At the time of writing, we had over 20 programs heading out on adventures for a diverse group of partners—from celebrity chefs, to universities, to museums all over the country. And with 28% of Americans planning fall vacations this year, we’re excited about what’s yet to come.
According to the Capital Area Food Bank’s latest Hunger Report 2022, 33% of people experienced food insecurity in the past year—that’s up from 10% in 2020. In response, we chose food insecurity as the theme of our first JEDI-sponsored volunteer event.
We invited ATA employees all around the world to take a day of philanthropy leave to volunteer in their local communities. DC-based employees spent an afternoon at the Capital Area Food Bank—the largest organization working to solve hunger in the Washington metro area. Volunteers packed hundreds of boxes, each of which contained non-perishables to supply a family of four for 3-4 days!
✔️Another quarter complete — read our Q2 newsletter to see the latest ATA updates. Sign up on our website to receive the next quarterly newsletter directly to your inbox.
Learn about our new travel programs, participation on a panel at the Sustainability is Responsibility Summit in Bodø, Norway, and DC week activities!
On Saturday, The Chautauquan Daily ran a full page article about its inaugural, climate-centric Iceland trip. ATA is proud to support Chautauqua's climate change initiative and inspiring travelers to take action.
A quintessential Chautauqua summer promises a plethora of lectures to attend, performances to see and discussions to be had, all within the Institution’s gates. However, the 2022 season presented an
Look at those clean up warriors! As part of our mission to contribute meaningfully to sustainability and our community, staff members joined forces with Rock Creek Conservancy to help remove an invasive plant species from Rock Creek Park. Invasive plants are a major threat to forest health in the park, and removal supports the regeneration of a thriving native ecosystem.
We are looking for a Guest Communications Assistant to join our Customer Service Team! Learn more about the job and how to apply on our website: http://ow.ly/Lmlg50JnsR9
Each spring, leaders in the travel industry gather in Washington D.C. to push key legislative priorities with policy makers. Learn more about ATA's recent participation at Destination Capitol Hill: http://ow.ly/u09k50JiLh8
In April, leaders in the travel industry gathered in Washington, DC to educate policymakers and advocate for the industry at Destination Capitol Hill.
Academic Travel Abroad supports the Biden Administration’s newly-announced measures regarding the United States’ support for Cuba. We await details regarding the expansion of authorized travel to Cuba and the reinstatement of People-to-People travel. Once again, Americans will be able to travel to Cuba to learn about historic preservation, environmental protection, the arts, music, dance, education, public health, car restoration, and other immersive topics.
“It is a priority of ours to return to Cuba and re-engage with Cuban citizens,” said Kate Simpson, President of Academic Travel Abroad. “We have always believed that people-to-people travel increases mutual understanding, supports economic development and fosters respect between cultures.” https://www.state.gov/biden-administration-measures-to-support-the-cuban-people/
The Cuban people are confronting an unprecedented humanitarian crisis — and our policy will continue to focus on empowering the Cuban people to help them create a future free from repression and economic suffering.
We are thrilled to announce the launch of HISTORY Travel™ in partnership with A+E Networks!
“We’re all looking for more meaningful experiences, and History Travel will enable adventurers to connect more deeply to people and places,” said Lance Still, senior vice president of consumer enterprises at A+E Networks®. “Providing expert historical context to these curated destinations is a new way to engage our core audiences, and also expand the brand to curious history-buffs seeking a trusted source to help them make the most of their travel experience and connect to the larger historical picture.”
http://ow.ly/Fisi50J6vBK
Introducing History Travel™—curated travel experiences that are inspired by some of history’s most impactful moments and joined by world-renowned historians
1155 Connecticut Avenue NW
Washington D.C., DC
20036
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WHO WE ARE Academic Travel Abroad, Inc. is an educational travel provider for some of this country’s most prestigious organizations. Riding the post-war wave of interest in travel to Europe, ATA launched operations in 1950 by assisting universities and cultural institutions in the creation of group travel programs for their members. Today, ATA is a leader in cultural and educational group travel and serves partners such as The New York Times, Smithsonian Institution, American Institute of Architects, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
ATA has two divisions. CET Academic Programs operates study abroad programs for high school and college students, and Professionals Abroad organizes delegations that connect professionals through international exchange. Tying together all brands and divisions are ATA’s focus on innovative program design, collaborative approach to partnership, steadfast insistence on quality, and commitment to environmental sustainability. Every ATA program is designed to change perspectives, deepen understanding, and engage communities.
Kilimanjaro International Tourism & Safaris I
Pennsylvania Avenue NW
