01/03/10 Response of ECTAA to the consultation of the European Commission on air passenger rights
The consultation dealt with passenger protection against airline failure, mishandled luggage, the Regulation on Denied Boarding, Cancellations and Long Delays, the Regulation on Passengers with Reduced Mobility and certain airlines’ practices, more >

08/02/10 Reply of ECTAA to the European Commission’s consultation on the review Package Travel Directive
The Package Travel Directive, which came into effect in 1990, is aimed at protecting consumers in the area of package travel. Some of the most important rules concern the liability of package organisers and retailers, more >

06/11/2009 Position on the proposal for a Directive on consumer rights
ECTAA welcomes the proposal for a Directive on consumer rights. It is an important step towards the harmonisation of the rights of consumers who shop throughout the EU, which will facilitate cross-border sales. Since its Members are very much involved in cross-border and domestic sales to consumers, ECTAA has carefully analysed the proposal for a Directive on Consumer Rights. More >

20/01/2009 Common IRU/ECTAA/ETOA position on the European Commission proposal for a regulation on passenger rights in bus and coach transport
A European Commission proposal for a regulation – directly applicable into EU Member States’ legislations – was published on 4 December 2008 [COM(2008)817 final]. From a transport policy point of view, the proposal comes as a political step to ensure comparable passenger rights’ regimes across the entire travel chain.
The European travel, bus and coach industry welcomes rules which place the customer at the heart of policies and business practices and is willing to contribute to sustainable mobility of European citizens.More >

25/11/2008 Comments of ECTAA on the consultation concerning the application of the EC Merger Regulation
With the current trend for concentration in the air transport sector and its potential impact on the travel industry, ECTAA is following with attention the control by the European Commission of concentrations between airlines. More > 

12/09/08 Comments of ECTAA on the IMCO Study on Safety and Liability Issues relating to Package Travel 
Beginning of this year, a study on safety and liability issues relating to package travel has been submitted to the Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection of the European Parliament. More >

25/07/2008 Contribution of ECTAA to the consultation on the Draft Commission Impact Assessment Guidelines
ECTAA provided comments on the Draft Commission Impact Assessment Guidelines, concerning notably the use of impact assessments, the gathering of information, the definition of options and transparency. More >

09/05/08 Commission consultation - Review of existing legislation on VAT reduced rates
In general ECTAA is in favor of retaining the reduced VAT rates for all tourism services included in the annex III, i.e. hotel accommodation and passenger transport services. It also supports the inclusion of restaurant services into the annex III. More >

04/12/07 Comments on the Commission’s Discussion Paper on the review of Directive on doorstep selling.
In its response, ECTAA recommended that the scope of this Directive remains unchanged. It should not be extended to sales at fairs or during solicited visits at the consumer’s home or place of work. More >

03/10/07 Joint submission on the Working Document of the European Commission concerning the Directive 90/314/EEC on Package Travel
The European Commission is preparing the review of the existing consumer acquis, composed of 8 Directives, among which the Directive 90/314/EEC on package travel, package holidays and package tours. ECTAA, GEBTA and IFTO welcome the analysis that is currently being undertaken by the European Commission, because it is essential that EU legislation suits current and foreseeable market developments ... More >

15/05/07  Position Paper on the Green Paper on the review of the acquis on consumer protection 
ECTAA welcomes the Commission's Green Paper on the Review of the Consumer Acquis since it is an important step towards the modernization of the Community law on the protection of consumers, in order to simplify and to improve the regulatory environment for consumers and also for professionals. More >

27/04/07 Contribution to the consultation on the possible revision of the Code of Conduct for computerized reservation systems
ECTAA is involved in the consultation process as the CRSs are an essential tool for travel agents to satisfy their clients' demand and to offer a large choice of flights.  More >

29/03/07  Position Paper on the Green Paper on diplomatic & consular protection of the Union citizens in third countries
ECTAA and GEBTA welcome the Green Paper on diplomatic and consular protection of Union citizens in third countries. The core of their Members' activities being the sale of travel services, many of their customers are traveling outside Europe... More >

21/11/2006 Comments on the Commission’s Communication on the implementation of Directive on distance selling.
Due to the specificities of travel services, ECTAA insists on the need to maintain the specific exemption regime that the Directive on distance selling has established for contracts for the provision of accommodation, transport, catering or leisure services. More >

November 2006 Position Paper on visa code
"Is the EU an expensive destination?" The answer is yes. It is expensive compared to other destinations in the world. With air transport becoming cheaper and new routes opening up every day, tourism has become global and increasingly competitive. More >

November 2006  Position Paper on the proposal for a Regulation on Common Rules for the Operation of Air Transport Services in the Community
ECTAA & GEBTA highly welcomed the Regulation proposal on Common Rules for the Operation of Air Transport Services in the Community and strongly support a number of provisions in this proposal, notably on the control of carriers' financial soundness against risks of bankruptcy, and ... More >

October 2006  Position Paper on the review of the Package Travel Directive   
In a Communication of 11 November 2004, the European Commission announced that is would review the existing consumer acquis composed of 8 Directives. In its first annual report on European Contract Law and the Acquis Review of 23 September 2005, ... More >