BRUSSELS – As European institutions prepare for the next five years, ECTAA, the European umbrella organization for travel agents and tour operators, is releasing its manifesto for the upcoming term. “Now that we know the new Members of the European Parliament and their responsibilities, it is the right time for us to explain what we believe essential for the travel industry” explained Eric Drésin, Secretary General of ECTAA.
The document published by the organisation highlights the necessity of robust consumer protection and transparency in distribution, ensuring that travellers benefit from clear, fair, and safe travel options. By addressing these key areas, the manifesto sets a clear path forward for policymakers and industry stakeholders to collaborate effectively, ensuring a thriving future for Europe’s travel industry.
Priority for the coming years is the revision of the Package Travel Directive. The current Directive already guarantees a high level of consumer protection for package holidays in terms of customer
information, insolvency protection and assistance when something goes wrong. Any new text should aim at maintaining consumer protection without imposing unnecessary burden on tour
operators or confusing provisions.
However, ECTAA has concerns about the assurance of consumer choice and transparency in travel options in the future. Travel advisors need a guaranteed access to comprehensive travel content on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms. It is also important to ensure effective passenger rights for uni- and multimodal transport that include workable ticket refund rules and protection of passenger data. Finally, it is of utmost importance to revise the special VAT scheme for travel agents to update the rules, address competition distortions, and ensure uniform
application across Europe.
“Today, Europe is home to more than 80,000 travel advisors who have undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years. They have evolved from simple intermediaries to expert guides
within a complex travel system. As we look to the future, these advisors will play an increasingly critical role, responding to the growing demand for tailored and sustainable alternatives to
conventional tourism offerings. Supporting the green transition of tourism is essential, with ECTAA advocating for dedicated funding to help companies invest in sustainable practices”, said
Frank Oostdam, President of ECTAA.
The article ECTAA: Unlocking the full potential of Europe’s travel advisors first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.