Top Tourism Trade Associations for Industry Professionals

Tourism and travel is a challenging and unique business. Within the course of a single hour, you may help one client plan a road trip to the California Central coast, then assist a couple with a romantic escape to the archaeological sites of Mundo Maya, and finally create a family adventure on New Zealand’s North Island. No other business demands more accurate information about geography, culture, and current events in distant places than the travel industry. Clients rely on tourism professionals for up-to-date information that can make or break their vacations.

Most travel and tourism industry professionals appreciate that trade associations and organizations can provide valuable contacts, networking opportunities, and industry insights. Below is a list of organizations dedicated to helping tourism and leisure travel specialists excel.

1. Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA)

ATTA is an international association of travel agents, tour operators, destination managers, service providers, and other travel professionals dedicated to creating sustainable adventure tourism opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts.

2. American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA)

ASTA is the world’s largest association of travel professionals. It is highly active in lobbying, education, and networking, and each year hosts the Travel Global Convention.

3. Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA)

ABTA is the premier trade association for travel agents, tour operators, and travel service providers working with clients from or traveling to the United Kingdom.

4. Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO)

AITO represents over a hundred independent tour operators serving the British market, providing a wide variety of tours and holidays worldwide.

5. Association of National Tourist Offices and Representatives (ANTOR)

ANTOR is a London-based association of tourism offices from around 60 different nations. Its website contains contact information for each member’s tourism office.

6. Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)

CLIA is the largest cruise industry trade organization in North America, representing the interests of member cruise lines and thousands of travel agencies.

7. National Tour Association (NTA)

NTA is regarded as the leading association for professionals serving travelers to, from, and within North America, comprising over 1,500 tour operators.

8. Association for Tourism and Leisure Education and Research

Founded in 2004, ATLAS is an association of educational institutions studying tourism and leisure travel, conducting research on various subjects.

9. European Technology and Travel Services Association (ETTSA)

ETTSA promotes global distribution systems and travel distributors, advocating for transparency and consumer choice in travel distribution.

10. The Tourism Society

The Tourism Society is a UK-based society for tourism industry professionals, focusing on career development and networking.

11. World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)

UNWTO, a United Nations organization, promotes sustainable international tourism and provides business analysis and trend prediction tools.

12. United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA)

USTOA is a professional trade association founded in 1972, with a focus on promoting integrity within the tour operator community.

13. World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC)

The WTTC is a global authority on the economic and social contributions of travel and tourism, with members from the leading companies in the industry.