Media
ECTAA announced today the launch of its Travel Industry Ambassador Programme, a brand new and dedicated initiative designed to present the dynamism and innovation of the travel industry sector by showcasing innovative travel agents and tour operators, who are making a strong contribution to the future of travel. This programme is a response to the critical challenges that the travel sector is currently facing, emphasising the need for collective action and expertise.
January 2024 Joint Statement: Europe’s consumers deserve a competitive European airline market
Europe’s internal air travel market is a remarkable EU success story. Over the last decades, liberalization has led to cheaper, safer, and more comprehensive air connections throughout the EU. This was driven in large parts by vigorous competition between airlines, engaging in a constant effort to outcompete their peers by developing and improving their services. Now, the European air travel industry stands at a crossroads. Large and increasingly dominant airline groups have formed in successive mergers. In 2005, the top 5 European airline groups already accounted for 47% of intra-EU traffic, this figure is now set to increase to 73.5% in 2024.1
Recognising that tourism has been “badly hit” by the COVID-19 crisis, ECTAA is pleased to see that Tourism Ministers are eager to use the EU Recovery Fund for tourism. ECTAA also welcomes their support for a “harmonized solution” for refunding travel packages, including vouchers (link).