Amadeus and the European Travel Commission (ETC) signed today a strategic partnership to promote Europe as a tourism destination. This partnership agreement falls within the “Destination Europe 2020” strategy, a joint initiative between the European Commission and ETC to strengthen the image of Europe in long-haul markets through promotional activities and the implementation of new technologies in cooperation with major industry stakeholders. Amadeus announced the provision of the VisitEurope app in November 2013.

Amadeus and ETC will work together to promote Europe aiming at strengthening the European tourism industry’s competitiveness as one of the main engines of economic growth and employment.

Amadeus will contribute with its technology solutions and its knowledge of the European travel industry, whilst ETC will bring in the local knowledge of its 33 National Tourism Organisation (NTOs) members.

Both organisations will also look at extending this collaborative effort to other relevant travel industry stakeholders in order to accomplish the goals of “Destination Europe 2020”.

Peter De Wilde, President of the European Travel Commission (ETC), said: “We are glad to work together with key industry representatives who share with us our common goal of promoting Destination Europe. I am convinced that this partnership will help us to safeguard Europe’s position as top travel destination with proper knowledge gathering and sharing and skilfully bringing together private and public efforts“.

“The European Commission wishes to involve the entire European tourism industry in the successful promotion of Destination Europe. We support actions, which all European destinations can benefit from, such as the use and implementation of new technologies in the tourism sector”, explained Pedro Ortún, Director for Tourism, Directorate-General Enterprise and Industry, European Commission.

Juan Jesús García, Senior Advisor, Industry Affairs, at Amadeus, commented: “We fully endorse the goals established by ETC and the European Commission in the “Destination Europe 2020” strategy. This partnership stands out as a reference example of private and public cooperation within the travel and tourism sector. Amadeus is pleased to contribute to this alliance with three key assets: our technology, our global footprint and our industry knowledge to shape the future of travel in Europe”.