Why Join the ITOA?
Benefits for your Business
The ITOA is the representative association for the inbound tour operator sector in Ireland recognised by all of the state tourism bodies and Government departments. As a member of ITOA you will have access to a wide range of benefits that support the development of your business.
The Association promotes the interests of its members and highlights the importance and value of the incoming tour operators and the international travel trade distribution channel. The activities undertaken by ITOA for its members include:
- Promoting the value of the sector’s distribution channel with key stake holders and the tourism industry, including the annual membership business survey in which all members must participate.
- Providing support to members and a quarterly networking platform to share common issues and opportunities.
- Organizing three annual workshops to facilitate Irish tourism enterprises networking opportunities for its members. These events take place in March for Republic of Ireland tourism businesses and November for Northern Ireland tourism businesses annually and are a key feature of the tourism industry promotional calendar, where Irish tourism suppliers have the opportunity to meet and contract with ITOA members.
- Identifying and securing marketing support funding for overseas sales and marketing.
- Developing members’ brand presence through listing on the ITOA website and annual membership catalogue. ITOA members are also the recognised inbound operators of the state tourism agencies.
- The monitoring of new or impending legislation which affects the sector.
- Developing members’ brand presence through listing on the ITOA website and annual membership catalogue. ITOA members are also the recognised inbound operators of the state tourism agencies.
- Offering ongoing advice and industry relevant information to members.
- Representation on Industry Boards and Panels. ITOA is represented on all of the major industry boards and panels and are regularly called upon to sit on industry oversight sub-groups. These include ITIC, Failte Ireland, Tourism Ireland, the Government Hospitality and Tourism Forum, Failte Ireland Business Tourism Forum & Working Group, Global Alliance Group , Tourism Ireland Central Marketing Partnership groups and its sub groups in-market and the Tourist Guide Oversight Group
- Access to training support as deemed necessary and appropriate by the membership.
- Lobbying and influencing the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, state agencies and tourism representative organisations on issues as defined by the Association’s executive.
- Active membership of the ITIC (Irish Tourism Industry Confederation).
- Promoting the value of the sector’s distribution channel with key stake holders and the tourism industry, including the annual membership business survey in which all members must participate.
- Providing support to members and a quarterly networking platform to share common issues and opportunities.
- Organizing three annual workshops to facilitate Irish tourism enterprises networking opportunities for its members. These events take place in March for Republic of Ireland tourism businesses and November for Northern Ireland tourism businesses annually and are a key feature of the tourism industry promotional calendar, where Irish tourism suppliers have the opportunity to meet and contract with ITOA members.
- Identifying and securing marketing support funding for overseas sales and marketing.
- Developing members’ brand presence through listing on the ITOA website and annual membership catalogue. ITOA members are also the recognised inbound operators of the state tourism agencies.
- The monitoring of new or impending legislation which affects the sector.
- Developing members’ brand presence through listing on the ITOA website and annual membership catalogue. ITOA members are also the recognised inbound operators of the state tourism agencies.
- Offering ongoing advice and industry relevant information to members.
- Representation on Industry Boards and Panels. ITOA is represented on all of the major industry boards and panels and are regularly called upon to sit on industry oversight sub-groups. These include ITIC, Failte Ireland, Tourism Ireland, the Tourism Leadership Group, Failte Ireland Business Tourism Forum & Working Group, The Export Trade Council, Tourism Ireland Central Marketing Partnership groups and its sub groups in-market and the Cultural Tourism Liaison Group.
- Access to training support as deemed necessary and appropriate by the membership.
- Lobbying and influencing the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, state agencies and tourism representative organisations on issues as defined by the Association’s executive.
- Active membership of the ITIC (Irish Tourism Industry Confederation).
Membership of ITOA is open to Irish-based inbound tour operators, handling agents, DMCs, and PCOs who package the tourism product of the island of Ireland and sell and market to their trade partners overseas and who satisfy the Association’s stringent membership criteria. A member must:
Derive a substantial level of its income from the provision of group and FIT business within Ireland from the overseas markets.
Be a properly incorporated or constituted company in Ireland, established for a minimum of two years or more from the date of application.
On application have been proposed and seconded by a full member of the Association.
Adhere to the ITOA Member Code of Conduct.
ITOA Code of Conduct
- ITOA members must deal honestly and fairly with each other, with clients and suppliers of services.
- ITOA members will treat all details of their negotiations with clients and suppliers as confidential. Details of negotiations will not be divulged to a third party.
- A member will not knowingly make false or misleading statements about:
- Their ability to successfully and professionally meet a potential client’s needs.
- Competitors.
- Rates, costs, accommodation, transportation, capacities or any other factors at his/her disposal.
- Or to secure otherwise confidential information.
- A member will honour signed contracts with both clients and suppliers, in spirit as well as intent, and should make every effort to honour all commitments, both written and verbal.
- A member will settle all financial obligations promptly or at least in accordance with normal commercial practice unless otherwise explicitly agreed with suppliers.
- ITOA members will, as soon as possible, release back to the supplier any contracted services no longer required.
- ITOA members should confirm all services in written form.
- Members will not produce any sales literature that clearly names a supplier, together with a selling price, without prior agreement being reached on rates and conditions.
- Members shall not attempt to convert business to themselves by directly or indirectly bringing the name of another ITOA member into disrepute.
