European Tourism Bodies Agree to Code of Conduct on Data Sharing

A wide range of European travel and tourism bodies, including the European Travel Agents & Tour Operators Association (ECTAA), the European Travel Commission (ETC), the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF), the European LGBTQ+ Travel Alliance (ELTA), the European Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (FEG) and the Hotels, Restaurants and Cafés in Europe (HOTREC), to name but a few, agreed to sign a code of conduct on data sharing in the tourism sector.

The code of conduct, signed by 20 travel and tourism organizations in Europe, sets out key considerations in data sharing agreements and is aimed at building trust and ensuring transparent and fair data sharing agreements.

The key goal is to set out the appropriate conditions for harmonized and interoperable tools for tourism-related data exchange. According to a joint statement, the code will also provide support in the creation of mutually beneficial data sharing agreements in the tourism industry while setting out common principles (interoperability, security, liability), definitions and guidelines for data sharing that ensure privacy and security.

Additionally the said code of conduct establishes a level playing field between public and private sector and industry stakeholders so that all parties involved have equal chances and opportunities to use and share data in tourism.

Source: European Travel Commission (ETC)

In the statement, the associations said it was “a timely tool to respond to several challenges with regards to the access, use and sharing of data in a high-quality manner”.

“By providing their endorsement as a sector, tourism stakeholders demonstrate their active engagement in and alignment with the goals of the European digital strategy for tourism and the key aims of the Transition Pathway for Tourism,” said the 20 signatories.

“This Code of Conduct is a means of actively sharing tourism-related data and a strong first step towards goals of a common European Tourism Data Space, which is in preparation.”

The 20 signatories include the Italian Association for Responsible Tourism (AITR), International Committee of Tourism Film Festivals (CIFFT), European Boating industry (EBI), European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF), European Travel Agents and Tour Operators Associations (ECTAA), European Historic Thermal Towns Association (EHTTA), European LGBTQ+ Travel Alliance (ELTA), European Travel Commission (ETC), eu travel tech (EU association representing online indirect distributors of travel), Europa Nostra, European Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (FEG), Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), Hotels, Restaurants and Cafés in Europe (HOTREC), The Global Association for the Attraction Industry (IAAPA), International Social Tourism Organization (ISTO), Mirabilia Network, NECSTouR, New Deal Europe, European Federation of Rural Tourism (RURALTOUR) and Startup Turismo Association).

Any European organization active in the travel and tourism sector can endorse the code of conduct.

The code of conduct is available here.