These Articles ensure we operate with transparency, integrity and accountability, providing a stable framework for collaboration across regions and markets. Here, we set out the principles of governance, membership, leadership and decision-making that enable WTAAA to act as a trusted global voice for the travel agency community.
We are governed by our members, ensuring decisions and priorities reflect the needs of the global travel agency and association community rather than any single market or commercial interest.
We operate as an invitation-only alliance, maintaining high standards of credibility, representation and alignment across our global membership.
The Articles ensure balanced regional representation, allowing WTAAA to act as a genuinely global voice rather than being dominated by any one country or region.
Defined leadership roles, voting processes and decision-making structures protect our independence and ensure transparency, accountability and consistency.
The Articles reinforce our role as an aligned advocacy body, focusing on collaboration, standard-setting and representation, not commercial competition with members or partners.
Membership is extended to associations, organisations and individuals that demonstrate leadership in their markets and a commitment to global collaboration within the travel industry. As industry change becomes more complex and change accelerates, association leaders increasingly recognise that meaningful influence is achieved collectively through WTAAA’s global voice.
Four membership categories reflect both the breadth and complexity of the global travel ecosystem and ensures a representative impactful alliance.
National or regional travel agency associations that meet WTAAA’s membership criteria. They represent the core of the global travel agency community, shaping industry standards and ensuring a unified voice on key issues.
Organisations that operate travel agency or tour operating activities in multiple countries, with the prerequisite that they are a member of a WTAAA Active Member association. They contribute insight, collaboration and broader industry perspectives, strengthening WTAAA’s advocacy and best-practice efforts.
Global travel commercial partners, such as airlines, accommodation providers, cruise companies, technology providers, payment services, and other organisations invested in a strong travel ecosystem. They support WTAAA through strategic engagement, innovation and shared commitment to improving the travel agency and traveller experience.
Individuals recognised for exceptional service, leadership or long-standing contribution to WTAAA and the global travel agency community. They provide continuity, expertise and ambassadorial support, helping preserve our legacy and values.
| ECTAA | European Travel Agents’ and Tour Operators’ Associations | EU | www.ectaa.org | Represents 27 EU countries (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden) and 4 non-EU countries (Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Serbia). ABTA (UK) and CEAV (Spain) are also national members of the WTAAA. |
| FOLATUR | Foro Latinoamericano de Turismo (Latin American Tourism Forum) | Latin America | www.folatur.com | Represents 11 countries in Latin America (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela). Collectively FOLATUR represents just over 13 000 travel companies. |
| Abbreviation | Association | Directors | Countries/Regions | Website | Representation |
| ABAV | Associação Brasileira de Agências de Viagens (Brazilian Travel Agencies Association) | Ana Medeiros | Brazil | www.abav.com.br | Represents ~3000 travel businesses |
| ABTA | The Association of British Travel Agents | Susan Deer | UK | www.abta.com | Represents ~1100 travel agents and tour operators |
| ACTA | Association of Canadian Travel Agencies and Travel Advisors | Suzanne-Acton Gervais | Canada | www.acta.ca | Represents ~750 agencies and 950 independent advisors |
| ASATA | Association of Southern African Travel Agents and Advisors | Otto de Vries | South Africa | www.asata.co.za | Represents ~500 travel agency members |
| ASTA | American Society of Travel Advisors | Mark Meader | USA | www.asta.org | Represents ~8,000 travel agencies |
| ASTINDO | Association of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies | Pauline Suharto | Indonesia | www.astindo.org | Represents ~7000 travel agencies |
| ATIA | Australian Travel Industry Association | Dean Long | Australia | www.atia.travel | Represents ~950 agencies and 180 tour operators |
| CEAV | Confederación Española de Agencias de Viajes (Spanish Confederation of Travel Agencies) | Eva Blasco Garcia | Spain | www.ceav.info | Represents 5 000+ travel agencies |
| ITA | International Air Ticket Agency Association | Kit Sananwathananont | Thailand | www.ita.or.th | Represents 50+ major BSP travel agencies |
| KATA | Korea Association of Travel Agents | Jin Seok Lee | South Korea | www.kata.or.kr | Represents ~16,000 travel businesses |
| MATTA | Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents | Fazil Khan Bin Abdul Kadir | Malaysia | www.matta.org.my | Represents ~3000 travel agencies |
| SIPA | Society of IATA Passenger Agents | Larry Lo | Hong Kong | www.sipa.org.hk | Represents IATA-accredited agents |
| TAANZ | Travel Agents’ Association of New Zealand | Andrew Bowman | New Zealand | www.taanz.org.nz | Represents ~300 travel agencies |
| TAFI | Travel Agents Federation of India | Abbas Moiz | India | www.tafi.in | Represents ~1,600 travel agencies |
| AMADEUS | amadeus.com |
| MASTERCARD | mastercard.com |
| PETER BARLOW | Years of Service: 2006–2016 WTAAA Founder Member Chair & Board Member |
| MICHEL DE BLUST | Years of Service: 2006–2019 WTAAA Founder Member Board Member & Secretary |
| LARS THYKIER | Years of Service: 2006–2023 WTAAA Founder Member Chair & Board Member |