Financial Security with Encore Tours

With more than 25 years of providing exceptional performance tours to ensembles of all ages, sizes, and types, we have established ourselves as leaders in the field of music travel. Our commitment to excellence and high standards ensures that each trip is not only enriching but also secure. We understand that financial security is paramount in allowing you to focus on the transformative experience of travel without any worries about your investment.

Why Music Directors Trust Us

As a director planning trips with Encore, you can do so with confidence. You are partnering with a financially robust and reliable organization. Since 1978, ACIS, our parent organization, has been synonymous with high-quality educational travel experiences, and we both operate under the umbrella of AIFS — the American Institute For Foreign Study.

Since 1964, AIFS has been a leading sponsor of educational programs worldwide, and their extensive history and robust financial foundation make us a reliable and trustworthy partner. Our financial stability is a cornerstone of our service, providing you with the assurance that your investment is secure.

Your Security is Our Priority

Our dedication to financial security is unwavering. We benefit from the flexibility, team camaraderie, and personalized service of a smaller organization while enjoying the stability and resources of being part of a larger entity. AIFS shares this commitment to financial stewardship, providing peace of mind to you, our travelers. Here’s how we ensure your financial safety:

• Robust Financial Reserves: As of December 31, 2020, AIFS maintains over $130 million in cash reserves, including a $50 million loan from the Main Street Lending Program (MSLP) authorized under the CARES Act. These reserves safeguard your deposits and ensure the continuation of our high-quality service.
• Real Estate Assets: AIFS owns high-quality real estate holdings valued at over $90 million, providing additional liquidity and financial stability.
• Liability Insurance: AIFS holds a $51 million general liability insurance policy with Lexington Insurance Company, covering school districts, teachers, group leaders, and chaperones. We can provide certificates of liability upon request.

Your Payments Are Protected

As an active member of the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA), Encore is required to post a $1 million indemnity bond. This bond ensures that, in the unlikely event of Encore bankruptcy, insolvency, or cessation of business, your advance payments are protected and reimbursed through the USTOA Travelers Assistance Program.

Rigorous Provider Vetting

We thoroughly vet all travel service providers used by Encore to ensure they meet our high standards of excellence. These providers carry their own insurance coverage, which complements Encore’s general liability insurance, offering you an added layer of protection. Regular evaluations of these providers guarantee the maintenance of high-quality service.

Protecting Your Investment

Your safety is our top priority. That’s why all travelers are automatically enrolled, at no extra charge, in our Basic Protection Plan. All levels of protection provide health coverage, program interruption, and travel delay protection while on tour. For additional peace of mind, we recommend upgrading to one of our paid plans, like more than half of our travelers do each year. Our two Ultimate plans provide increased on-tour coverage plus the ability to cancel for any reason and receive a full refund. These upgraded policies also offer enhanced coverage, including baggage delay and $5,000 of instrument insurance.

Our Commitment to Excellence

Our unwavering commitment to financial security, quality, and integrity ensures that you can focus on the enriching experience of educational travel without worry. Our mission to support music education at home and abroad drives us to maintain the highest standards of financial stewardship.

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At Encore Tours, we bring the world together through the universal language of music. Contact us to experience the transformative nature of performance travel and learn how you can travel confidently, knowing your financial investment is secure.