03/02/12 Two airlines cease operating in one week leaving thousands of passengers with no protection While the European Commission has been lingering for two years about initiating legislation to protect passengers against airline failure, Spanair suspended its flights on 28 January and the Hungarian airline Malev ceased operations on 3 February. More >
02/01/12 P.ICT.URISM project wins an EU bid to provide tailor-made ICT solutions for the tourism industry A consortium formed by ECTAA, HOTREC, ITH, Università Bocconi and ZN have been awarded a European Commission’ service contract to develop a demonstration project to facilitate the creation of a seamless digital environment for tourism in Europe and enable the integration of smaller enterprises in global tourism business networks. More >
19/12/11 The EU is actively promoting tourism The Polish Presidency of the EU and the European Commission organized a Tourism Conference in Warsaw, chaired by Mrs Katarzyna Sobierajska, Secretary of State Ministry of Sport and Tourism on 16 December to bring together European governments, the tourism industry and airlines to promote tourism. More>
07/12/2011 IATA issues hard to digest for the travel agent Community Unsatisfaction is rising within the travel agents’ Community on IATA issues. The recently announced fee increases and the intention to introduce global financial criteria for IATA accredited agents are making their teeth grind. More>
26/10/11 ECTAA meets the Egyptian Authorities to strengthen tourism in Egypt The European Travel Agents’ and Tour Operators’ Association met this Monday the Egyptian Minister for Tourism, Dr. Monir Fakhri Abdel Nour, and the Chairman of the Egyptian tourist authority, Mr Amr El Azabi, to discuss how to revitalise and strengthen tourism in Egypt. More >
30/08/11 Working together to promote green travel and tourism by bus and coach Leading representatives from the EU transport policy and business sphere will discuss best policy and operational practices to further green the entire travel and tourism chain at the 7th European Bus and Coach Forum, held in the framework of Busworld Kortrijk in October 2011. More >
23/06/11 Consumer Rights Directive takes into account the specificities of the travel industry ECTAA welcomes the Directive on consumer rights that the European Parliament has adopted today. Thanks to the intensive contacts that ECTAA has maintained for the past two years with the European legislators, ...more>
28/04/11 Welcoming group tourism by coach is good for the environment and good for the economy The European travel and coach travel industry expects rapid progress in solving the problem of coach tourism entry fees in Italian cities, for the benefit of local economies, citizens and visitors alike. More >
01/04/11 ECTAA signs partnership agreement with the Croatian National Tourist Board ECTAA is formalising today the agreement reached with the Croatian National Tourist Board promoting Croatia as its Preferred Destination for 2011-2012. The agreement will bring mutual benefits to both...more>
28/01/11 Missed opportunity for revising the VAT scheme for travel agents Travel agents feel they have been let down again as Member States fail –for the second time- to reach agreement on the much awaited revision of the special scheme for travel agents. 10 years have elapsed since the Commission presented a proposal to overhaul the travel agents’ VAT scheme. More >
19/11/10 What exact role can institutions/stakeholders play in implementing the new European Tourism Framework? Malta, 18 November 2010 – On the occasion of the European Tourism Forum (18-19 November 2010), the Network of European Private Entrepreneurs in the Tourism Sector (NET), represented by Anna Maria Torres, CEO of HOTREC, expressed its full support for the objectives of the European Commission Communication to develop...More >
08/11/10 A strengthened single voice of Tour Operators in Europe: ECTAA continues IFTO’s activities Recognising the benefits of a single, strengthened, exclusive representative organisation at EU level, the International Federation of Tour Operators has handed over its core activities and mission to ECTAA, the European Travel Agents’ and Tour Operators’ Association. More >
28/09/10 For an ambitious, cooperative and business-friendly tourism policy in Europe Leading tourism business alliance presents its proposals for the future European Tourism Policy to European Commission Vice-President Antonio Tajani. On the occasion of the European Tourism Day, NET met today with the European Commission’s Vice President, in charge of tourism, Antonio Tajani, to present the industry priorities for the future European Tourism Policy, in light of the new competencies acquired by the EU in the field of tourism after the entry into force of the Lisbon EU Treaty in December 2009. More >
27/04/10 Travel agents and tour operators join calls for relief measures for the travel industry In view of the upcoming meetings of EU Tourism and Transport Ministers at EU level to discuss the impact of the airspace closure caused by the volcanic ash cloud, ECTAA and GEBTA call on the European Commission Vice-President responsible for tourism, Mr. Antonio Tajani, to support urgent relief measures for travel agents and tour operators. More >
08/02/10 ECTAA in favour of updating the Package Travel Directive Replying to a consultation launched by the European Commission on the review of the Package Travel Directive, ECTAA submitted its views and opinions on various issues that need to be addressed in an updated Package Travel Directive. More >