E C T A A stands for the "Group of National Travel Agents’ and Tour Operators' Associations within the EU" and is an international non-profit association under Belgian law, whose offices are located in Brussels, Belgium. It was founded in 1961 at Bad Kreuznach (Federal Republic of Germany) by the national associations of travel agents and tour operators of the 6 founder Member States of the Common Market (Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands).

In 1973 the Group expanded for the first time to welcome the associations from Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom. ECTAA was then joined in succession by the Greek association in 1981, the Spanish and Portuguese associations in 1986 and the Austrian, Finnish and Swedish associations in 1995. In May 2004, 6 affiliated Members of ECTAA became full Members when their Members States joined the European Union. In July 2004, the Latvian Association of travel agents joined ECTAA and became a full Member as well as the Cezch Association in July 2005. ECTAA now represents the national associations of travel agents and tour operators of the 23 Member States of the European Union.

Besides the 24 Full Members (for Spain has two national associations), ECTAA currently counts among its membership 4 Affiliated Members (the associations of Bulgaria, which joined in December 2004, Croatia, Romania and Turkey) and 2 Observers (Norway and Switzerland).

In terms of figures, ECTAA represents thus the interests of almost 120,000 travel agencies and tour operators, engaged in both incoming and outgoing tourism business. The size of these businesses varies from micro enterprises, often family run, to large multinational companies, employing over 1000 people.

It is estimated that the combined annual turnover of all these enterprises exceeds 60,000 million Euros.

ECTAA is now 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.E C T A A stands for the "Group of National Travel Agents’ and Tour Operators' Associations within the EU" and is an international non-profit association under Belgian law, whose offices are located in Brussels, Belgium. It was founded in 1961 at Bad Kreuznach (Federal Republic of Germany) by the national associations of travel agents and tour operators of the 6 founder Member States of the Common Market (Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands).

In 1973 the Group expanded for the first time to welcome the associations from Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom. ECTAA was then joined in succession by the Greek association in 1981, the Spanish and Portuguese associations in 1986 and the Austrian, Finnish and Swedish associations in 1995. In May 2004, 6 affiliated Members of ECTAA became full Members when their Members States joined the European Union. In July 2004, the Latvian Association of travel agents joined ECTAA and became a full Member as well as the Cezch Association in July 2005. ECTAA now represents the national associations of travel agents and tour operators of the 23 Member States of the European Union.

Besides the 24 Full Members (for Spain has two national associations), ECTAA currently counts among its membership 4 Affiliated Members (the associations of Bulgaria, which joined in December 2004, Croatia, Romania and Turkey) and 2 Observers (Norway and Switzerland).

In terms of figures, ECTAA represents thus the interests of almost 120,000 travel agencies and tour operators, engaged in both incoming and outgoing tourism business. The size of these businesses varies from micro enterprises, often family run, to large multinational companies, employing over 1000 people.

It is estimated that the combined annual turnover of all these enterprises exceeds 60,000 million Euros.

ECTAA is now 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.