ECTAA was founded in 1961 at Bad Kreuznach (Federal Republic of Germany) by the national associations of travel agents and tour operators of the 6 founding Member States of the Common Market. Other national associations joined ECTAA with the successive enlargements of the European Union.

1961 Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands

1973 Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom

1981 Greece

1986: Spain and Portugal

1994: Switzerland and Norway

1995: Austria, Finland, Sweden, Hungary and Estonia

1998: Turkey and Poland

1999: Cyprus and Romania

2000: Croatia

2002: Slovakia

2003: Malta

2004: Latvia and Bulgaria

2005: Czech Republic
2007: Lithuania
2008: Slovenia

ECTAA now represents the national associations of travel agents and tour operators of 25 EU Member States, of 2 EU accession countries as well Switzerland and Norway.

ECTAA is recognised in Brussels by industry and decision-makers alike as the main representation of both Travel Agents and Tour Operators and is an esteemed consultation partner on any policy that may have an impact on Travel Agents’ and Tour Operators’ activities.