NEW YORK — Rail Europe North America Inc. has suspended selling tour packages following a change in its business model.

“Our company has refocused its activity to selling European rail tickets and passes to the B2B and B2C markets and is no longer selling tour packages,” said Laurent Tonnellier, General Manager Business North & South America at Rail Europe.

Tonnellier went on to say that Rail Europe’s office in North America “is fully committed to serve its customers: tour operators, travel agencies, consortia, partners and consumers. Rail Europe provides a full range of technologies to connect to the largest European railroad inventories.”

The news came as the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) announced that Rail Europe is no longer a USTOA Active Member, as a result of its change in business model, and also no longer participates in the USTOA $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program.

However Tonnellier notes that while the new business model changes Rail Europe’s current affiliation status with USTOA, the company is pleased to continue its relationship with USTOA as an Associate Member.