Travel & Tourism Industry Expert
& Litigation Consultant

Industry Experience. Objective Forensic Analysis, Standard-of-Care Evaluations, and Expert Witness Testimony
for Plantiff and Defense Counsels Nationwide.

Cornell University (BS) / CTIE / CPCU / 35+ Years C-Level Leadership

When litigation involves breakdowns, failures, or omissions in the travel industry, retaining counsel needs an expert who brings both
C-level industry authority and proven forensic clarity.

Request a Confidential Consultation
All inquiries are kept strictly confidential. Complementary 30-minute preliminary case feasibility and conflict check discussions are available.

Michael F. Stone, CPCU, CTIE

Gestation, Inc.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Direct Phone: (954) 328-9023

Email: contact@gestation.com

For additional information Click Here for Seak Expert Witness Directory listing

Michael F Stone, CTIE, CPCU
Education: BS Hotel and Hospitality Management, Cornell University
Degrees: CTIE (Certified Travel Industry Executive), The Travel Institute; CPCU (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter), The Institutes, Risk and Insurance Knowledge Group

Michael F. Stone, CPCU, CTIE, provides comprehensive litigation support grounded in over 35 years of global executive leadership, $700M+ operational management, and proprietary travel software development.

  • $700M+ Operational Leadership: Former CEO and President of top-tier U.S. and international tour operating enterprises handling over 500,000 passengers annually.
  • Dual Domain Expertise: Unique ability to bridge ground-level operational standard of care with complex back-end travel operations, contracting, and distribution.
  • Balanced Retention Record: Retained across state and federal jurisdictions with an even representation split across plaintiff counsel, defense counsel, and insurance carriers.
  • Top Industry Designations: Graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration; Certified Travel Industry Executive (CTIE); Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU).

Core Areas of Expert Testimony & Consultation

Industry Standard of Care & Duty of Care

  • Travel Agency, Tour Operator, Airline, and Ancillary Travel Services safety protocols, excursion management, and participant risk mitigation.
  • Tour Operator, Travel Agency, Online Travel Agency (OTA), & Host Agency Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
  • Duty of care evaluations for leisure travel, transit, and resort activities.

  • Seller-o

    f-Travel regulatory compliance, merchant-of-record (MOR) protocols, and consumer disclosures.

Commercial Contracts & Agency Disputes

  • Supplier, vendor, and airline/cruise line contract breaches and performance disputes.
  • Host Agency vs. Independent Contractor (IC) disputes, commission structures, and overrides.
  • Fiduciary duty, travel fraud, and travel agency consortia agreement evaluations.
  • Financial reconciliation of disputed travel invoices, chargebacks, and booking settlements.

Insurance, Coverage & Risk Management

  • Commercial General Liability (CGL) and Errors & Omissions (E&O) framework evaluations for travel entities.
  • Travel insurance policy coverage analysis, duties after loss, and claims handling practices.
  • Independent file reviews for pre-litigation claims managers and Third-Party Administrators (TPAs).

We’re Here To Help !

Let’s Get Started!