If you're just starting out in tourism and you feel a little lonely or have gaps or a lack of preparation or support, you'll be strongly advised to join a tourism association.
Being part of an organization or community will help you enormously. These associations are there to help you develop your business; they are tourism professionals who advise, train, represent and defend you.
There are thousands of associations worldwide dedicated to the tourism sector, from DMC and MICE to FIT, GIT and incentive travel agencies and agents. Take a look at our list below and choose the one that suits you best.
Tourism associations bring together the travel and tourism research community - academics, professional practitioners and research users - to network, collaborate and brainstorm face-to-face and across borders.
The best tourist associations
A
ABTA, Association of British Travel Agents :
Founded over 70 years ago, it is the UK's leading travel association. Its 80-strong team primarily advises members, promoting responsible tourism in the UK and abroad.
ADN Tourisme :
The federation was born in 2020 from the merger of the three historic federations of institutional tourism players: Offices du Tourisme de France, Tourisme & Territoires, and Destination Régions. By bringing together representatives of the three territorial levels in metropolitan France and the French overseas territories, it represents the combined strengths of nearly 1,100 structures and 11,500 employees at national level.
ATES, Association for Fair Trade Tourism :
It is a professional network of actors and specialists in fair trade tourism, created in 2006. It brings together over 30 travel producers, tourism operators in France and associate members, all committed to making tourism a lever for development and solidarity with local populations and players.
APST, Professional Tourism Solidarity Association :
Set up in 1964, the association created by Tourism Professionals brings together natural and legal persons working in the tourism sector, as well as travel agents and other operators selling travel and holidays.
ATEC, Australian Tourism Export Council :
Since 1972, it has represented the international tourism industry with the aim of facilitating the growth of inbound tourism businesses in Australia. Their mission is to bring together buyers and sellers in the tourism industry through events.
Council membership fees depend on the category.
ASTA, American Society of Travel Advisors :
Founded in 1931, the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) represents the interests of American travel agents, offering training and events of all kinds.
ATTA, Adventure Travel Trade Association :
Founded in 1990, this association is the world's largest network of adventure tourism leaders, with over 100 members. The links and creativity of this community come together both virtually and in person, their solutions propelling your business towards a responsible and profitable future.
Membership fee: $99 USD per year.
B
BRAND USA :
Founded in 2011, the association promotes the USA as a premier travel destination, with over 900 partner organizations. The aim is to invite the world to explore and experience the authentic United States of America.
C
CTA, Coach Tourism Association :
This association was created 30 years ago to bring together the coach tourism industry and promote coach travel and tourism. It has over 300 members in coach tourism, and maintains relationships between organizations mainly in the UK.
Membership fees range from £75-550, depending on your category.
CATO, Council of Australian Tour Operators :
CATO is a trade association representing the national and outbound land supply sector of the Australian travel industry. Members reflect an ethical and sustainable style of travel.
CLIA, Cruise Lines International Association :
CLIA is the world's largest cruise industry trade association, with representation in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Oceania.
D
Destination Canada :
An association with a comprehensive site made up of separate micro-sites for travelers, travel agents, tour operators, business event planners and the media, Destination Canada promotes its country and what it has to offer. For tour operators and travel agents, this organization works to help you develop your skills across Canada, offering resources, training and other learning opportunities.
E
EDV, Les entreprises du voyage :
EDV (formerly SNAV) was founded in 1945, and considers itself to be the government's representative for all tourism-related professions. Its aim is to support the development of companies through its representation, research and training activities.
ENAT, European Network for Accessible Tourism :
This association is a pioneer in the study, promotion and practice of accessible tourism in Europe. Their mission is to make European tourist destinations, products and services accessible to all travelers, and to promote accessible tourism worldwide.
ETOA, European Tourism Association :
For over 30 years, ETOA has been a trade association dedicated to creating a fair and sustainable business environment so that Europe remains competitive and attractive. With over 1,200 members, their voice is powerful and impactful. They offer a networking platform and a calendar of high-level B2B events to support the recovery of European tourism.
F
Fáilte Ireland :
Fáilte Ireland's role is to support the long-term sustainable growth of tourism's economic, social, cultural and environmental contribution to Ireland. The association works in partnership with government, local authorities and representative industry groups to develop tourism throughout the country and invest in tourism infrastructure, activities and attractions. It also provides buyers' platforms and training to help tourism businesses innovate and grow.
G
GSTC, Global Sustainable Tourism Council :
This council manages the GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) criteria, global standards for travelers and sustainable tourism, as well as providing international accreditation for sustainable tourism certification bodies. The council's primary aim is to be an agent of change in the world of travel and sustainable tourism by promoting greater knowledge, understanding, adoption and demand for sustainable tourism practices. We also touched on the subject of sustainable tourism in this article listing 8 ways to boost the sustainability of your travels. Contact us on social networks and let us know what you think.
I
IGLTA, International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association :
Founded in 1983, IGLTA, the International LGBTQIA+ Travel Association, is the world's leading network of tourism companies welcoming travelers from the LGBTQIA+ community. They provide free travel resources and information while continually working to promote equality and safety for the LGBTQIA+ community when traveling in over 80 countries.
ITAC, Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada :
ITAC is the world leader in the marketing and development of Aboriginal tourism experiences. ATAC members are Aboriginal-owned and operated businesses in every province and territory of the country. The association aims to improve the socio-economic situation of Aboriginal people in Canada's 10 provinces and 3 territories, by providing services to Aboriginal tourism operators and communities, or to those seeking to start a cultural tourism business.
IAGTO, International Association of Golf Tour Operators :
Founded in 1997, it includes over 2,500 accredited golf tour operators, golf resorts, hotels, golf courses, receptive operators, airlines, tourist offices, accredited media and commercial partners. The association's member operators control over 90% of all golf-inclusive vacation packages. It strives to provide information and create opportunities that help its members develop their businesses faster, with less effort and at lower cost.
J
JATA, Japan Association of Travel Agents :
Founded in 1959, the association aims to improve the quality of services provided to travellers to and from Japan. It also contributes to the development of the travel and tourism industry by disseminating vital information and encouraging cooperation between all members.
K
KATO, Kenya Association of Tour Operators :
KATO, founded in 1978, is one of the leading trade associations in the Kenyan tourism sector. It represents the interests of over 300 of the country's most experienced tour operators. Its members include both large and small operators.
L
LATA, Latin America Tourism Association :
The Latin American Tourism Association, an ever-growing association of over 360 companies including tourist boards, airlines, hotels and other tour operators, aims to promote Latin America as a tourist destination and stimulate the growth of travel in the region. Its members represent a community of travel experts with unrivalled knowledge of Latin America.
It aims to be the UK's benchmark for travel and tourism in Latin America, as well as improving standards and best practices.
Membership costs between £335 and £680.
M
MATI, Maldives Association of Tourism Industry :
Since 1982, the association's aim has been to promote and develop tourism in the Maldives. It strives to minimize challenges and maximize opportunities within the industry through engagement and mediation. It also coordinates all mandatory government decision-making bodies to ensure that new laws and regulations are aligned with best practice for tourism in the Maldives.
N
NTA, National Tour Association :
It is the leading trade association for companies and organizations serving customers traveling to, from and within North America. Its 700 buyer members are tour operators and travel organizers offering over 500 destinations and representing products in all 50 U.S. states, every Canadian province and over 40 other countries.
P
PATA, Pacific Asia Travel Association :
Founded in 1951, this non-profit association acts as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia-Pacific region. It brings together members from the public and private sectors to facilitate partnerships to enhance the value, quality and sustainable growth of travel and tourism in the region.
PURE :
PURE is an association that promotes experiential tourism. It's a large community that reflects an attitude, commitments and conviction that travel can be more than just an industry. The primary aim is to bring together a diverse and constantly evolving group of individuals to share their knowledge and experience, and to look at the challenges facing their businesses from a different angle.
R
RTNZ, Regional Tourism New Zealand :
It is New Zealand's first association of regional tourism organizations. Funded by its members, who represent the interests of all the country's regional organizations, it aims to encourage better coordination and ensure that communities engage and consult on issues critical to the development of New Zealand's tourism sector.
S
Safarilink :
Founded in 1998, this association lists over 1,250 safari camps and lodges throughout Southern Africa. It provides detailed information to over 5652 independent travel agents, receptive agencies and other tour operators specializing in safaris.
SATSA :
A non-profit association founded in 1969, it represents Southern Africa's private tourism sector. Their aim is to create a dynamic grouping of quality tourism providers in the region, and to provide international buyers with advice and information on quality tourism partners in the Southern African incoming tourism industry. It also represents its members to various governments and NGOs regarding the impact their laws and decisions will have on the region's incoming tourism industry.
Signature Travel Network :
Signature Travel Network is an exclusive network of the world's leading expert travel consultants. Created by a group of like-minded agency owners in 1956, it continues to attract the most successful in the travel industry.
Skål International :
Skål International is a worldwide network of tourism professionals founded in 1934 and present in 100 countries. Its role is to promote friendship and business exchanges between its members in the tourism industry.
SYTA, Student and Youth Travel Association :
SYTA is the first non-profit association to promote student and youth travel, and to encourage integrity and professionalism among travel service providers. Its primary goal is to provide enriching travel experiences for students and young people by setting standards of quality and safety for travel suppliers. They empower their members through advocacy, education, training and networking.
T
TWLGO, The World’s Leading Ground Operators’ :
It is an association of independent incoming operators specializing in land-based programs for the world's leading cruise lines. Members are elected by invitation only, and with the unanimous consent of existing members. Selection criteria are largely based on the candidate's reputation, which guarantees the quality of the association.
TIES, The International Ecotourism Society :
Founded in 1990, it is dedicated to promoting ecotourism. It has been at the forefront of ecotourism development, providing guidelines and standards, training, technical assistance and educational resources. It leads efforts to make tourism a viable tool for conservation, protection of bio-cultural diversity and sustainable community development.
TAP, Travelers Against Plastic :
It's an awareness-raising initiative that aims to educate travelers worldwide about the harmful effects of using disposable plastic water bottles, and therefore encourage travelers to prepare to clean their own drinking water. Their vision is to catalyze a self-sufficient global movement, resulting in the virtual elimination of travelers' reliance on disposable plastic water bottles.
Many travel agencies now include eco-friendly options and advice in their offers. Have you already read our article on sustainable tourism?
U
UkInbound :
Established in 1977, it is the only trade association that represents the interests of the UK's inbound tourism sector and ensures that it is recognized as one of the UK's key economic and employment drivers. They guarantee its 300+ members successful and profitable businesses in a dynamic and sustainable industry despite what the Brexit may suggest.
USTOA, United States Tour Operators Association :
Founded in 1972 by a small group of California tour operators concerned about tour operator bankruptcies. These founding members recognized the need for a unified voice to protect the traveling public and represent the interests of tour operators.
V
Virtuoso :
With over 20,000 consultants, Virtuoso is the world's leading network of agencies specializing in luxury and experiential travel. They work in partnership with over 1,800 of the world's leading companies, including hotels, cruise lines, tour operators and more. Their consultants use their personal relationships and first-hand expertise to create tailor-made trips for customers.
W
WINTA, World Indigenous Tourism Alliance :
The global network was created in 2012, is indigenous-led and made up of indigenous and non-indigenous peoples and organizations committed to working with indigenous communities, tourism industry entities, states and NGOs seeking to address the aspirations of these peoples seeking autonomy through tourism.
WFTA, World Food Travel Association :
It was founded in 2003 as a non-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO), and is now considered the world's leading authority on food and beverage tourism. Each year, the association serves a community of nearly 200,000 people from 150 countries.
WTTC, World Travel & Tourism Council :
Founded in the late 1980s by a group of industry CEOs, WTTC's core mission is to maximize the tourism and travel sector's potential for inclusive and sustainable growth by partnering with governments, destinations and other stakeholders to stimulate economic development, create jobs and more.
WYSE Travel Confederation :
Since 2006, this international network has been dedicated to tourism for young people, students and education. It connects the various players in this sector and provides them with relevant information and resources, facilitating the exchange and sharing of information within its community.
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