Introduction

The Association of Czech Travel Agents was established in 1991. The brainchild of twenty travel organizations it now has 160 ordinary members and 18 allied members from the tie-up branches of transport, insurance, information technologies, professional education, travel trade fairs, advertisement and press.

Bringing together both main touroperators and travel agents the Association s members enjoy a major position in tourist industry in the Czech Republic. The Association of Czech Travel Agents is a voluntary organization of bodies active both on domestic and foreign markets. It is an independent legal subject working all over the Czech Republic. Its aim is to represent and protect the economic interests of its members, to assist them in extending the range of their activities, and enhancing their professional prestige. The Association proposes tourist - related legislation as well as economic measures. It has a say in debates concerning rules and regulations in the sphere of tourism and the state´s economic policy, and policies pursued by regional state authorities. The Association helps to uphold the good reputation and standard of Czech tourist services, and it defends the interests of its members clients. It stands up against unfair competition as well as against acts which could harm the good name of Czech tourism. The Association represents its member agencies in international tourist organizations and it promotes contacts with similar associations abroad in order to gain experience and support for its activities, and with the aim to launch mutually rewarding cooperation. Finally, the Association helps in matters of advertising, public relations and contact with the media on behalf of its members.

Full membership of the Association is open to all travel agencies in the Czech Republic which approve of its goals and respect its rules and regulations. The membership of the Association of Travel Agencies of Czech Republic as well as its logo have become the trade mark of quality. The Association can provide its foreign partners with contacts to 160 Czech Tour Operators and Travel Agencies which have a decisive share in the total volume of the tourist business. Members of the Association cover practically all spheres of tourism both professionally and geographically. As far as the incoming tourism is concerned, they operate in the whole territory of the Czech Republic and Slovakia. When it comes to outgoing travel, they cover all continents. They arrange regular trips for groups and individuals, as well as specialized journeys including the most demanding congress arrangements and incentive tourism. In addition, our travel agencies help to arrange some of the most prestigious cultural events in which our country is so rich.