1946

American Travel Abroad is born as a Travel Agency in New York to handle both wholesale and retail sales. The company focuses on group travel, such as the transport of 30,000 Yemenites from Aden, Yemen to Israel.

1950

As the company grew, "AMTA", the acronym by which the company becomes known throughout the industry, focused primarily on wholesale travel arrangements, acting as a wholesale Tour Operator to thousands of retail travel agencies across North America. AMTA started offering tours to the Soviet Union in 1948 and had a department specializing in FIT “Foreign Independent tours” and special interest tours.

1960

AMTA further expanded its travel services with Congresses; Conventions; Educational Seminars; Religious Pilgrimages; as well as Tours for thousands of travelers around the world.

During that period, the revolution of air travel greatly contributed to the rise of tourism. AMTA’s owner, Boris Wolski was keen on introducing charters-flights and all-inclusive tours to many destinations, such as the Soviet Union and Israel.

1970

Ben Wegiel and Bob Laszewski acquired AMTA and shifted the offering to Poland, launching charter-flights before a permanent air link was established between Poland and the United States. The company developed a special relationship with LOT Polish Airlines when launching their trans-Atlantic route, creating travel packages to Poland and Eastern Europe, geared to Ethnic travelers and the growing tourist market.

1978

New members of the Wegiel family, Zbigniew and Alex Wegiel took control of AMTA. They introduced programs in Europe including river cruises, spa vacations for groups and independent travelers. At that time, AMTA operated nearly 200 charter flights annually from several U.S. gateways, carrying over 30,000 passengers across the Atlantic every year.

1980

AMTA widens its programs to Eastern and Central Europe. The company combines tours of Poland with itineraries to the former Yugoslavia, Scandinavia, the two Germanys, Austria, and Italy.

In addition, AMTA and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines offered agency Study Tours of the Soviet Union (USSR). Agents were able to learn about the country and see for themselves the new hotels and facilities available for their clients.

As these travel packages grew in popularity, AMTA innovated and introduced the American public to river, canal, and lake cruises on some of the great waterways of Europe. Cruising on the Danube to visit the capitals such as Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, Belgrade, and Bucharest.

AMTA introduced "World of Wildlife" tours – an exploration of the game parks and preserves of Southern Africa. Among travel packages offered was a luxurious 19-day in-depth visit to the Londolozi and Lotwari games preserves, and a ranger-escorted walking safari into Hluhluwe, the Zululand home of the white Rhino. AMTA contributed a portion of the tour cost to aid the preservation of African Wildlife.

After the opening of the People’s Republic of China to tourism, AMTA launched tours of various lengths - from two- or three-days overviews to in-depth visits that included off-the-beaten-path areas – Tibet, rugged north western China, along trade routes once covered by Marco Polo. All tours’ arrivals and departures were through Hong-Kong.

1990

AMTA gave further evidence of its global outlook by adding Caribbean Islands and Mexico to its roster of international destinations. These destinations became popular, especially during the winter months when people are craving to escape the cold weather.

AMTA further strengthened its partnership with LOT by signing a strategic marketing agreement for North America.

Andrew Wegiel, son of AMTA’s owner and President, Zbigniew Wegiel, joined in the business in the 1990’s in Chicago and has helped the Wegiel family establish AMTA as a leading Air Travel Consolidator and Tour Operator to Central and Eastern European Countries since then.

1996

1996 – 50th Year Anniversary Two previous owners of AMTA, Boleslaw Laszewski and Alex Wegiel joined the current owner, Ziggy Wegiel and Marek Sidor, Manager North America - LOT Polish Airlines to celebrate AMTA’s 50 year Anniversary.

The Wiegel family offers Consolidator and Tour Operator travel services out of their headquarters in New York, and many satellite offices in Chicago (8), Detroit and an office in Warsaw, Poland. To provide the best land arrangements in Europe, AMTA works closely with Destination Management Companies (DMC) such as: - Orbis, the oldest travel agency in Poland, founded in 1920 in Lwów (now: Lviv, Ukraine). - Ibusz Travel in Budapest, Hungary. - Intourist, a Russian tour operator, headquartered in Moscow. It was founded on April 12, 1929 and served as the primary travel agency for foreign tourists in the Soviet Union. It was privatized in 1992 and from 2011, was 50.1% owned by the British Thomas Cook Group until its collapse in September 2019. In November 2019, Anex Tours acquired the stake from the British Official Receiver.

Orbis

2006

AMTA launched tours to Costa Rica, London, China.

2007

AMTA Chicago 60 Years

AMTA acquired Orbis Travel USA, its main competitor in the USA for tour programs to Poland.

LH Study Tour Poland

KURIER interview in Polish with Andrew’s dad. Need to translate only the key takeaways.

Polish Parade

2008

Polish Parade

2010

AMTA focuses on providing services to Ethnic Polish and Eastern European customers.

Chicago Office LH UA Best Customer Event Holiday Event with American Airlines Event with United Airlines

2018

LOT Chicago Event

2019

Celebration in NY

2020

Brooklane Capital Partners acquired majority interests in American Travel Abroad Inc. and invested capital in resources (CEO and CFO), technology, distribution system, and marketing.

Brooklane Capital Partners widened the scope of the travel offerings beyond Poland and Eastern Europe. While the pandemic and international travel restrictions have significantly impacted the Travel industry, AMTA continues its effort to modernize the company, expanding its offering across continents and keeping true to provide excellence to its customers.

New Brand New Website

2020 Pictures

2022

GBTA San Diego