The Group of National Travel Agents’ and Tour Operators` Associations within the EU (ECTAA) is restructuring its membership categories with all current Member associations, regardless of their geographic location, to be merged within a single membership category as they are all affected by the decisions taken in Brussels on tourism and transport related issues, according to the organization.

ECTAA has consolidated all existing Member associations within one single category of ‘full Members’. This category is no longer limited to national associations representing travel agents and tour operators of EU Member States, but also of EEA/EFTA and EU accession countries.

“While the associations of the EEA/EFTA and EU accession countries are not formally part of the EU, their countries have implemented or are in the process of transposing the Community legislation into their national laws. It is thus important to allow these national associations an equal say and participation into the daily activities and decisions of the European association in all matters directly affecting their Member travel agents and tour operators”, explains ECTAA President, Jan Van Steen.

In addition, ECTAA has created two new categories of Members, notably the Affiliated and Allied Members. The Affiliated membership is open to all national associations of travel agents and tour operators established in all other European countries with close economic links with the European market. The Allied membership is open to industry partners not acting as travel agents and tour operators and who have a specific interest in the ECTAA activities. Benefits of Affiliated or Allied membership of ECTAA include attendance at major ECTAA meetings, inclusion in the daily mailings and newsletter list and opportunities to communicate directly with ECTAA Members and staff.

“The two new membership categories have been introduced to build closer relations with industry partners and to enable a broader range of companies to play part in the work of ECTAA”, explains Jan Van Steen, adding that “we anticipate that these new membership categories will bring value added for both our Members and close industry suppliers.”