Our Work
Sharing Knowledge... Shaping Policy... Ensuring Success
IFTO Activities
Working with our members
We hold quarterly meetings with our members. In these meetings we exchange views and create action plans on the major issues affecting the travel industry. These meetings are held both in Brussels and in destination countries to promote cooperation with the ministries and private sector suppliers in these countries. Through our website, regular email updates, and meetings we share knowledge of all aspects of tourism operation and the major issues facing the industry. We also publish policies on key areas to which all of our members adhere. Find out more in the Our Policies section of this site.
Working with decision makers and governments
We actively campaign, and correspond with key decision makers including destination and EU governments and private sector suppliers, to influence policy and practise in the field of tourism and to ensure both the success of tour operations and consumer satisfaction. Visit the News & Publications section to view some of our activities.
Working with tourists
One of our goals is to promote consumer interests at every level of influence. That may mean lobbying governments for better access to destinations or sharing our knowledge of tourist preferences with businesses around the world. IFTO has become the primary contact for the tourist industry in Europe and the Mediterranean.
Working with Destinations
IFTO has always seen helping new destinations to develop as a key part of its work. Sharing experiences of established destinations to ensure that proper development is undertaken is a priority. IFTO focuses on a number of areas.
Environment
The raw materials of tourism - the landscape, culture and biodiversity of a destination - are at risk of being destroyed unless action is taken to protect the environment. We work with destinations to improve environmental standards for tourists and we believe that it is essential that new destinations realize the benefits that tourism brings, but also ensure that the local population recieve a share of those benefits.
Infrastructure
Destination's infrastructure must keep pace with the demands of tourism and development must be controlled. IFTO focuses, in particular, on the needs for quality and effective airports, roads, water and sewage systems.
Airport Scheduling
Airports must not only cope with the volume of passengers arriving at a destination, but also manage peak traffic flows. IFTO works with destinations when possible to minimse the negative impacts that can result from uneven arrival patterns.
Taxation
Some destinations regrettably regard tourists as a taxation target, perceiving the impact to be less politically sensitive than taxing thier own nationals. IFTO works to highlight the effect that tourist taxes can have on overall tourist revenues as they discourage visitors in a competitive destination marketplace.
IFTO also attempts to help destinations understand the sales process in the source markets to ensure that taxes can be passed on and do not improperly penalise the tour operators.
The IFTO Mission
- to work by sharing knowledge and acting for the common benefit of our members
- to promote consumer interests in all parts of the decision making process regarding tourism
- to communicate to all parties the significant changes taking place in the travel sector
- to demonstrate how these changes will impact on all involved
- to provide advice, guidance and assistance to public and private sector businesses in destinations
- to focus on areas of particular concern and interest to the industry, governments (originating, EU and destinations) and consumers, and to develop effective strategies in the fields of:
- consumerism, and the consumer agenda, including tour operator responsibility issues
- sustainable development
- health, safety and security
- infrastructure, transportation and accomodation
- taxation and labour conditions
View the Our Policies section of this website for more details.
About IFTO
Who are IFTO?
IFTO is a group of member organizations. We have a core staff (secretariat) working in an office in the UK who support IFTO's activities. Our current President is Martin Brackenbury. If you would like to learn more about our staff, please contact us. IFTO was formed in 1970.
Who does IFTO represent?
IFTO is the International Federation of Tour Operators. We have 13 members who are either themselves tour operator's associations or companies operating in Europe. Visit the Our Members section of this site for more information.
What is a Tour Operator?
A tour operator arranges and sells holidays as a package. Unlike a travel agent, a tour operator retails the entire package as a product, combining the services to their suppliers (such as airlines, hotels and excursion providers); a travel agent will sell others products and collect a commission on the sale.
IFTO members meet 4 times a year to create action plans.
Find out more in Our Work >