NETWORK FOR THE EUROPEAN PRIVATE SECTOR IN TOURISM (NET)
The Network for the European Private Sector in Tourism (NET) is a network of large trade associations that was established in 1995.
Members include the following:
- CLIA Europe
- ECTAA
- EFCO & HPA
- ETOA
- HOTREC
- IAAPA
- IRU
CLIA: Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the world's largest cruise industry trade association. CLIA Europe promotes the interests of cruise ship operators within Europe, liaising closely with the EU Institutions. CLIA Europe also promotes cruising to a wider public audience to encourage expansion of the European cruise market and works closely with a range of other stakeholders, including the wider shipping industry, cruise ports, and travel agents. In addition to the CLIA Europe offices in Brussels, CLIA has representations in a number of national markets across Europe. These national chapters provide members with platforms to work on and solve issues at the local and national levels. They also constitute an integral part of CLIA’s multilevel approach to the representation of its members’ interests. Beyond Europe, CLIA is also present in North and South America, Asia, and Australasia. Across the world, CLIA represents the interests of cruise lines, travel agents, port authorities and destinations, and various industry business partners before regulatory and legislative policy makers.
ECTAA: ECTAA is the Group of national travel agents’ and tour operators’ associations within the EU. It actively cooperates with European Union institutions and international organizations to ensure that their interests and special requirements are taken into consideration. ECTAA now represents the national associations of travel agents and tour operators of 28 EU Member States, of 2 EU accession countries as well Switzerland and Norway.
EFCO&HPA: EFCO & HPA is the representative body of the camping and caravanning industry at the European level, including caravans, tents, motor homes, chalets and all forms of self-catering accommodation in the park setting. Membership is made up of the national trade associations of 23 European countries.
ETOA: ETOA is the leading trade association for tour operators and suppliers with business in European destinations. It counts over 700 members contributing more than €12bn of business within Europe and includes tour and online operators, intermediaries and wholesalers; European tourist boards, hotels, attractions and other tourism suppliers.
HOTREC is the umbrella association of national trade associations representing the hotels, restaurants, cafés and similar establishments in Europe. HOTREC’s principal activity is to monitor and analyse policy developments at EU level that have an impact on the hospitality industry. By gathering information directly at the source, HOTREC ensures that its member associations are kept abreast of any policy developments affecting the hospitality business. Where the interests of the European hospitality industry are at stake, HOTREC expresses the concerns of its member associations to the EU representatives.
IAAPA: The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) is the largest international trade association for permanently situated amusement facilities worldwide. The organization represents more than 4,800 facility, supplier, and individual members from more than 90 countries including professionals from: Amusement parks, Theme parks, and Attractions Family Entertainment Centers Museums and Science Centers Water parks and Resorts, Zoos and Aquariums Industry manufacturers and suppliers.
IRU: The International Road Transport Union (IRU) is the world road transport organisation, which upholds the interests of bus, coach, taxi and truck operators to ensure economic growth and prosperity via the sustainable mobility of people and goods by road worldwide.
Stakeholders (Alphabetical Listing)
- Amusement Parks
- Aquariums
- Attractions
- Buses
- Cafés
- Camp Sites
- Camping
- Caravans
- Chalets
- Coaches
- Cruise Ports
- Cruise Ship Operators
- Family Entertainment Centers
- Holiday Parks
- Holiday Villages
- Hotels
- Industry Manufacturers and Suppliers
- Intermediaries
- Motor Homes
- Museums
- Science Centers
- Online Operators
- Port Authorities
- Resorts
- Restaurants
- Shipping Industry
- Taxis
- Tents
- Theme Parks
- Tour Operators
- Tourism Suppliers
- Tourist Boards
- Travel Agents
- Truck Operators
- Water Parks
- Wholesalers
- Zoos
NET was established to represent the private sector of the European tourism industry, but it remains a loose gathering. NET members came together to represent private sector tourism interests to the European institutions. It is a very informal gathering. It is more like a single trade sector body and they basically work on their own while co-ordinating as NET from time to time on issues they share. NET members have been active in putting together common positions to the European Commission. It can be considered as one of the most successful attempts for greater cooperation among interest groups, but even for this group, a common approach has not always been feasible. Members have different views on different things. NET people know each other very well, they come together to exchange views on various things and sometimes they put common documents out and sometimes they lobby as an organisation. Basically it is a very, very informal relationship between the five of them, who sometimes choose to act under the umbrella of NET and sometimes choose to act individually. NET’s members continue to lobby on their own but choose to co-ordinate as NET from time to time and whenever they see fit. The flexibility of co-operating where relevant has allowed the participating interest groups to maintain a close working relationship without compromising their interests. NET remains a loose organisation but also one of the most active interest formations, putting forward positions and participating in meetings. It is not clear though, whether NET was an attempt by its constituent members to be heard more or if there were ambitions for it to extend its membership and gradually become the definitive voice of the industry. The sharing of common values and norms between NET’s members has been instrumental for its success.
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