european travel commission (etc)

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The European Travel Commission (ETC) provides travelers with everything they need to create trips that are remembered forever. Europe’s allure is endless. Our insatiable passion for the continent and its timeless, various cultures helps us inspire our visitors’ boundless desire to discover a Europe without borders.

What is the European Travel Commission?

ETC is the non-profit organisation responsible for the promotion of Europe as a tourist destination in long-haul markets. ETC’s mission is to strengthen the sustainable development of Europe as a tourist destination and to increase competitiveness, through knowledge gathering and sharing amongst members and lobbying, as well as by establishing a professional marketing platform for the successful promotion of member countries in overseas markets. Learn more at  www.etc-corporate.org .

Who are our Members?

Anto – austrian national tourist office.

Website: https://www.austria.info/en

Destination: Austria

Visit Flanders

Website: https://www.visitflanders.com/

Destination: Belgium

Wallonie Belgique Tourisme

Website: http://walloniabelgiumtourism.co.uk/

The Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Bulgaria

Website: http://www.bulgariatravel.org/

Destination: Bulgaria

Croatian National Tourist Board (CNTB)

Website: http://croatia.hr/

Destination: Croatia

Republic of Cyprus, Deputy Ministry of Tourism

Website: http://www.visitcyprus.com/

Destination: Cyprus

Visit Czechia

Website: https://www.visitczechrepublic.com/en-US

Destination: Czechia

VisitDenmark

Website: https://www.visitdenmark.com/

Destination: Denmark

Estonian Tourist Board - Enterprise Estonia

Website: http://www.visitestonia.com/

Destination: Estonia

Visit Finland - Business Finland Ltd.

Website: http://www.visitfinland.com/

Destination: Finland

Atout France

Website: https://www.france.fr/

Destination: France

German National Tourist Board (GNTB)

Website: http://www.germany.travel/

Destination: Germany

Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO)

Website: http://www.visitgreece.gr/

Destination: Greece

Hungarian Tourism Agency

Website: https://visithungary.com/

Destination: Hungary

Icelandic Tourist Board

Website: http://www.ferdamalastofa.is/

Destination: Iceland

Tourism Ireland Ltd.

Website: http://www.tourismireland.com/

Destination: Ireland

ENIT - Agenzia Nazionale del Turismo

Website: http://www.italia.it/

Destination: Italy

Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA)

Website: http://www.latvia.travel/

Destination: Latvia

Ministry of the Economy and Innovation of the Republic of Lithuania

Website: http://www.lithuania.travel/

Destination: Lithuania

Luxembourg For Tourism (LFT)

Website: http://www.visitluxembourg.com/

Destination: Luxembourg

Malta Tourism Authority (MTA)

Website: http://www.mta.com.mt/

Destination: Malta

Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Office

Website: https://www.visitmonaco.com/

Destination: Monaco

National Tourism Organisation of Montenegro

Website: https://www.montenegro.travel/en

Destination: Montenegro

NBTC Holland Marketing

Website: https://www.nbtc.nl/en/homepage.htm

Destination: Netherlands

Innovation Norway

Website: https://www.visitnorway.com/

Destination: Norway

Polish Tourism Organisation (PTO)

Website: https://www.poland.travel/en

Destination: Poland

Turismo de Portugal

Website: https://www.visitportugal.com

Destination: Portugal

Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism

Website: http://www.romania.travel/

Destination: Romania

State Office for Tourism

Website: http://www.visitsanmarino.com/

Destination: San Marino

National Tourism Organization of Serbia (NTOS)

Website: http://www.serbia.travel/

Destination: Serbia

Slovakia Travel

Website: https://slovakia.travel/en

Destination: Slovakia

Slovenian Tourist Board

Website: http://www.slovenia.info/

Destination: Slovenia

Turespaña - Instituto de Turismo

Website: https://www.spain.info/

Destination: Spain

Switzerland Tourism

Website: http://www.myswitzerland.com/

Destination: Switzerland

Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency

Website: https://goturkiye.com/

Destination: Türkİye

State Agency for Tourism Development of Ukraine SATD

Website: https://visitukraine.today/

Destination: Ukraine

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Executive Director, European Travel Commission

Eduardo Santander is the Executive Director/CEO of the European Travel Commission (ETC), an association of National Tourism Organisations (NTOs) created in 1948 to promote Europe as a tourism destination. In this role, Mr Santander steers ETC’s activities aimed at building the value of tourism for the countries of Europe through cooperation in sharing best practices, market intelligence and promotion. Under his leadership, ETC has extended its membership to private organisations and academia with the launch of the Associate Membership Programme and developed a long-term strategic partnership with the European Commission for the promotion of Destination Europe in long-haul markets. Mr Santander has over 15 years of experience in tourism marketing, brand development, business consulting, advocacy and public affairs gained in diverse private companies and public institutions from the tourism and hospitality sector. Educated in Spain, USA and Austria he holds a PhD in Sport Sciences and an MBA degree with a focus on Hospitality and Recreation Industry Management. He‘s fluent in English, German, Spanish and Italian. Mr Santander is a passionate advocate of freedom to travel, smart connectivity and sustainability in tourism and beyond.

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European Travel Commission (ETC)

European Travel Commission publish passenger behaviour trends in Long-Haul Travel Barometer

7 February 2024 | By International Airport Review

Travellers display reluctance to visit Europe, according to the Long-Haul Travel Barometer by the European Travel Commission.

Europe needs return of long-haul travel to sustain recovery

6 March 2023 | By International Airport Review

The U.S. remains Europe’s largest long-haul market, exhibiting the strongest rebound to date and the return of Chinese travellers to Europe is expected to be gradual, with full recovery not likely before 2026.

Travel remains priority for Europeans despite financial uncertainty, says new report

21 February 2023 | By International Airport Review

Despite increasing cost-of-living pressures, travel remains a priority for Europeans, with 77% planning to take a trip in the first half of 2023 and 63% favouring international trips within the continent.

European’s appetite for travel continues despite cost-of-living crisis

9 November 2022 | By International Airport Review

In spite of the growing cost-of-living concerns, European traveller's appetite for travel continues to rise with 70 per cent planning a trip in the next six months.

Russo-Ukrainian crisis to have minor impact on long-haul travel to Europe

25 May 2022 | By International Airport Review

According to the European Travel Commission’s Long-Haul Travel Barometer for summer 2022, the appetite for overseas travel to Europe from several source markets has slightly improved compared to 2021.

European tourism to remain resilient in 2022

12 May 2022 | By International Airport Review

In the European Travel Commission’s quarterly report, it has been predicted that European tourism will remain resilient despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as current economic and geopolitical headwinds.

European Travel Commission stands in unity with Ukraine

3 March 2022 | By International Airport Review

As a representative for national tourism organisations across Europe, the European Travel Commission has issued a statement expressing solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

Summer 2022 travel prospects look optimistic for Europe

11 February 2022 | By International Airport Review

Despite the challenging end to 2021 and ongoing COVID-19 travel restrictions, travel prospects across Europe shows more resilience, with signs of optimism for the early 2022 summer months.

EU travel will not attain pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels until 2024

10 November 2021 | By International Airport Review

With high vaccination rates in Europe, the European travel demand is prepared for a significant recovery however, volumes are not due to surpass pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels until 2024.

Europeans’ feel more confident and relaxed about travel in coming months

28 October 2021 | By International Airport Review

According to research released by the European Travel Commission, desire and confidence for travel remains strong across Europe, indicating a positive tourism outlook for the coming months.

Europeans remain positive about travelling during COVID-19

1 October 2021 | By International Airport Review

Despite the rising Delta variant and COVID-19 cases throughout the EU, 70 per cent of Europeans surveyed remained positive during summer 2021, with plans to travel between July 2021 and January 2022.

European Travel Commission research finds interest in travel rising

23 June 2021 | By International Airport Review

As a result of the increase in vaccinations, the introduction of the EU Digital COVID Certificate and the upcoming summer season, interest in travel has risen significantly compared to February 2021.

ACI Europe expresses concern over future of regional air connectivity

4 March 2021 | By International Airport Review

More than 836 million passengers were lost by regional European airports in 2020, prompting ACI Europe to call for a more supportive EU policy framework.

European aviation industry urges EU to update COVID-19 state aid framework

21 January 2021 | By International Airport Review

With the risk of the industry facing irreversible damage growing ever more likely, European aviation and tourism organisations have called for better and more effective financial support.

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Videh Kumar Jaipuriar has been nominated for his exemplary leadership in managing and navigating Delhi International Airport (DEL) during the COVID-19 pandemic. He led multiple initiatives to ensure business continuity at DEL, which included passenger safety and convenience, stakeholder management, cash conservation, adoption of new technologies, and care for environment and employee safety.

He proactively engaged with the government stakeholders and supported them in safeguarding aviation through strong confidence building measures for travellers, such as developing several indigenous technology solutions like air circulation with six changes per hour and a combination of UV and plasma disinfection systems to provide safest journey experience to their passengers. Under his leadership, DEL has been forefront of implementing safety measures which was later adopted across the country.

Despite lockdown, Jaipuriar ensured that DEL was operational for rescue missions, medical evacuations, and transporting medical essentials to various parts of the country. He further led the Vande Bharat Mission flights of Government of India (a rescue mission to get Indians back to India), as well as rescue flights by other international governments. His outstanding leadership across all areas across the stakeholders in the aviation ecosystem and going beyond the call of duty in managing and navigating this crisis for a national capital airport having national importance makes him the apt choice for the Person of the Year Award.

Adnan Saggaf continues to demonstrate strong leadership skills throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and brought out of the box ideas in attracting traffic and to support his team during this difficult time. With new innovative ideas in balancing cash flow, the facilities were kept maintained and the personal were kept employed. 

Saggaf has protected the financial stability of his staff income, ensured valuable cost cutting management, shown excellent performance of crisis management, and exceptional negotiation skills shown with authority regarding agreement restructuring and receivable payments.

To handle the loss of Umrah traffic to the airport, Saggaf chose to attract new airlines, mainly LCCs, to use the terminal with attractive offers and more reliable services. He built a new strategy by diversifying the airport offers. He prepared the facilities by deploying new technology and working on enhancing passenger experience. Saggaf also initiated a capacity building programme for the airside team by drafting SOPS, training and coaching, as well as initiating dedicated workshops to discuss ideas and to deploy new initiatives.

Leaders show strength in difficult times, and this is exactly what Saggaf showed and why he deserves to be awarded as the Person of the year 2021.

Peter has been with the Sangster International Airport for over 25 years. 

He has experience in customer service, operations and now oversees the security function and is also the Chief Operations Officer. 

Peter has been instrumental in co-ordinating the preparation and implementation of a COVID-19 response plan for not just MBJ, but to guide the operation of all agencies operating on airport. The aim of this plan was to ensure a safe environment for staff and the travelling public; therefore, this plan was instrumental to establish consumer/travellers/public confidence and provided information and guidelines on the new protocols implemented at the airport.  

Peter is well known for his expertise in investigation and aviation security. His co-operation with law enforcement stakeholders has been unrelenting in assuring the security of the airport and stakeholders alike. 

While Peter is known as a firm individual that displays the outmost professionalism and integrity, he operates on the basis of equity and fairness in all matters relating to staff, clients, passengers and the general public.   

Robson Freitas has developed and led the BH Airport plan for the resumption of airport operations post-COVID-19, as well as being responsible for leading the group of Directors and Managers at the airport, defining the three main pillars of recovery: Health and Safety of People, Institutional and Integrated Communication and Institutional Partners. These central pillars include ensuring hygiene and health and social distances measures for passengers, users, and the airport community, in addition to participating in strategic committees involving the public sectors to comply with regulatory rules. Freitas developed the COVID guardians programme, who were responsible in monitoring and following up on the measures already implemented for COVID-19 and advising users, employees and other people on compliance with distancing, hygiene and health measures recommended by health authorities. He also developed a COVID booklet with information and guidance for the airport community regarding good hygiene and health practices and led the beginning of the publication of a monthly newsletter with passenger curve information, allowing the planning of reopening and rehiring by commercial stores. Freitas also supported the reduction of OPEX by planning the temporary closure of areas, toilets and equipment in common use and internalising some activities.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Raghunath worked closely with all the aero concessionaires and cargo operators to minimise disruption and provide financial relief to them. The airline marketing team helped launch a historic first route to the U.S. West Coast and the cargo team at BIAL also achieved record numbers over this period, with the airport becoming India’s leading airport for the export of perishables. Despite the impact of COVID-19, Raghunath has led a digital transformation and expansion at BIAL airport, with new initiatives and the deployment of the fully biometric-based self-boarding solution for seamless passenger flow and travel experiences and a process automation and analytics platform. These initiatives amongst many others, meant that the airport won ACI World’s ‘Voice of the Customer’ initiative, which recognised BIAL airports efforts to prioritise their customers during COVID-19. Raghunath has remained a staunch and resilient leader during such an uncertain time and is very much appreciated by his team.

As Head of Operations, Alicia Prince has played a critical role in leading and navigating Cairns Airport through the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, Prince implemented a functional plan to ensure business continuity and staff welfare, segregating front-line operational staff into work teams to avoid interaction between groups, as well as strict sanitisation processes. She ensured that the $55 million domestic Terminal upgrade continued safely despite the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis.

She also deployed the COVIDSafe Operation Plan for Cairns Airport, which was endorsed and later commended by Queensland Chief Health Officer. As part of this plan Alicia developed an airport layout to provide physical separation of low risk and high-risk arrivals and initiated increased hygiene and sanitisation protocols. The health and safety of the airport community was paramount to maintaining operations, and in response to this Alicia initiated a COVIDSafe training program for the entire airport community and worked closely with her team to deliver.

As a result of the great work Prince has done to ensure COVID-19 best practices, Cairns Airport was one of the first Australian Airports to be awarded an ACI Global Health Accreditation.

Alicia also led the terminal optimisation project, which assessed and implemented terminal downscales due to the crisis. Significant savings (both financial and environmental) were achieved by reducing the operational footprint of the airport.

Whilst maintaining operations throughout the pandemic was a priority, Alicia ensured her team were kept well informed and engaged. Cairns Airport has a team of 33 volunteers which form part of Alicia’s wider team. To ensure they remained connected and cared for, Alicia and her team created care packages including home-made cakes and personally delivered to each of the volunteers’ houses in a COVIDSafe manner. Alicia demonstrated great leadership throughout the pandemic and continues to do so today. Her clear and transparent communication and collaboration with other Australian Airports and key agencies to ensure best practice and alignment contributed greatly to business continuity. Furthermore, all the above was managed whilst working remotely and juggling home schooling with her two young boys.

Balram Bheodari leads Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport as North America’s most efficient airport, due to his vast knowledge of and astute attention to efficiency in aviation, which has allowed the airport to thrive in the most difficult of markets. Bheodari combines operational expertise, integrity, and selflessness to provide a quality of leadership throughout Atlanta Airport. He oversees all facets of airport governance, including operations and a multi-billion-dollar capital improvement programme, ATLNext, designed to pave the way for Atlanta’s growth over the next 20 years. During COVID-19, Bheodari developed a comprehensive resumption of operations playbook that served to support ATL’s recovery efforts. With guidance from the Federal Aviation Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) amid evolving health and safety guidelines, Bheodari steadfastly encouraged collaboration among stakeholders, team-building among aviation employees, and adaptability in uncertain times. Throughout the pandemic, he participated in daily calls with Airports Council International and other large-hub airports to share best practices as well as information from Washington, D.C. federal offices and the CDC.

He aimed to restore customer confidence and ensure the airport was a healthy facility using COVID-19 safe protocols. Since, the airport achieved Airport of the Year by the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC).

During the height of the pandemic, Bheodari was the most ardent supporter of our mission-critical employees. Having worked his way up through the ranks, he fully appreciates the oftentimes thankless jobs these employees perform that keep the Airport safe and running optimally at all times. Morale never flagged because Bheodari made sure those employees felt valued through hazard pay, special meals, social media posts, intranet spotlight features, and other incentives.

His actions and his directives all reflect his commitment to the three key focus areas of our organisation’s strategic plan: people, purpose and performance.

Jonas Abrahamsson has shown the strength to steer the company towards its long-term sustainable goals, despite the challenges of COVID-19. Abrahamsson has ensured that Swedavia achieved its net zero target for all ten of the airports in 2020 and has continued to support strategic development and innovation to further the cause of sustainable air travel. During 2020, when passenger numbers where down over 90 per cent and a lot of investments were paused, he decided that investments in the company’s net zero target should proceed, allowing Swedavia to become the first net zero airport group by the end of 2020.

Chris Dinsdale has worked at Budapest Airport since 2015, originally as CFO until March 2021, where he was nominated for the position as CEO. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dinsdale, as CFO of the airport at the time, fought relentlessly to make sure that the company survived the crisis and worked with great commitment to secure the funding of the airport. For example, a voluntary salary cut for the executives and the founding of the Budapest Airport Foundation, which supports blue collar workers who lost their job during the COVID-19 pandemic.

After being nominated to CEO position in March 2021, Dinsdale continues to work closely with the executive team to create a clear COVID-19 recovery strategy for Budapest Airport. This will also mean that we come out stronger of the pandemic and have a clear focus. Dinsdale is an inspiring true leader who helped us all to cope with the very difficult times of the pandemic and I am convinced that he truly deserves this award.

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Study visits for Conference Interpreting students

How to apply for a study visit to the EU institutions for Conference Interpreting students.

Call for applications

The call for study visit applications for the first semester of academic year 2024-2025 is now open.

About study visits

Study visits to DG Interpretation allow students in conference interpreting to familiarise themselves with the professional life of a conference interpreter working for the European Institutions.

It provides a unique opportunity for future interpreters to hear about how the department works, to find out about the professional standards required to work for the European Institutions, to learn about latest developments in new technologies in conference interpreting and to practice in a ‘dummy booth’ for a day, with an interpreter trainer.

Visit formats

Visits from universities that DG Interpretation is currently cooperating with :

• Combined visit DG Interpretation & the European Parliament interpretation service (DG LINC) : 3 visit days; 2 days at DG Interpretation and 1 day at the European Parliament - generally from Monday to Wednesday
• Visits to DG Interpretation only : 2 or 3 days – duration decided on a case-by-case basis

Visits from universities that DG Interpretation is not currently cooperating with :

• ½ day or 1 day

How to apply

• Study visit requests should be sent by university course leaders, not by individual students
• Requests will be considered on their interest to DG Interpretation and to the European Parliament interpretation service.
• Requests are subject to approval by the relevant Directors/Heads of Unit as well as subject to the availability of staff.
• The ‘peak season’ for study visits is February to May. Universities are kindly invited to indicate alternative dates in the period September to January and/or the month of June . Flexibility to accept alternative visit dates is greatly appreciated.

Please note that DG Interpretation and the European Parliament interpretation service are working services . If your university does not offer interpretation courses and you simply want to find out about general (language) aspects of the European Commission, you can visit the European Commission with the Visitors' Centre of the European Commission.

The European Commission Visitors' Centre in Brussels welcomes groups for presentations and discussion.

Study visit to the Directorate-General for Interpretation

Study visits to the european parliament.

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EUROPEAN TOURISM – TRENDS & PROSPECTS (Q1/2024) – INFOGRAPHIC

Publication date: May 2024

Language: English

This infographic summarises the results of the ETC Quarterly Report Q1/2024.

The ETC quarterly reports provide readers with insights into the status quo of European tourism and the broader macroeconomic environment as well as a summary of 2023 for travel & tourism. The reports are the source of information to the know-how necessary to monitor the short-term development of European tourism.