ECTAA was founded in 1961 at Bad Kreuznach (Federal Republic of Germany) by the national associations of travel agents and tour operators of the 6 founding Member States of the Common Market. Other national associations joined ECTAA with the successive enlargements of the European Union.

1961: Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

1973: Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom;

1981: Greece;

1986: Spain and Portugal;

1994: Switzerland and Norway;

1995: Austria, Finland, Sweden, Hungary and Estonia;

1998: Turkey and Poland;

1999: Cyprus and Romania;

2000: Croatia;

2002: Slovakia;

2003: Malta;

2004: Latvia and Bulgaria;

2005: Czech Republic;
2007: Lithnuania.

ECTAA now represents the national associations of travel agents and tour operators of 25 EU Member States, of 2 EU accession countries as well Switzerland and Norway.

ECTAA is recognised by industry and decision-makers in Brussels alike as the representation of the travel agents and tour operators and is an esteemed consultation partner on any policy issue, legislation or action having an impact on the travel agents’ and tour operators’ activities.