Working groups provide opportunity for ETOA’s members and partners to cooperate on issues to do with the business environment for tourism in Europe. They are topic or destination focused. Activities can range from in-person meetings to ad hoc consultation and information sharing. Their composition is not fixed and expressions of interest are welcome. We try to ensure access to insight from various business models and origin markets, and specialist expertise where applicable.

Current activity and priorities

Group tourism is the core business of many of ETOA’s operator members, and it remains poorly understood. Coach tourism is under-appreciated as a low-emission form of collective transport which is capable of bringing visitor spend to all parts of Europe. This group acts as a reality-check for the in-house team to ensure we’re focusing on what affects members the most, and prioritising correctly. Even if we can’t change the situation, we can provide accurate, actionable information. It may also identify what activity needs more focused effort, and provide feedback on ETOA’s online resources, especially Operating in Europe.

Topics generally discussed in the Group tourism working group:

  • Coach Access and parking
  • Group restrictions
  • Attractions and ticketing
  • Accommodation
  • Overnight Tax
  • Regulation affecting freedom to provide guiding services
  • Visa and border formalities

Latest meetings

On 20th November 2025, ETOA hosted a meeting to address current challenges affecting the group tourism sector.

The main points of discussion included:

  • Edinburgh’s upcoming coach access restrictions and the need to safeguard essential hotel and restaurant access.
  • Progress on Scotland’s Visitor Levy and the move toward a flat-rate structure.
  • Attraction ticketing updates, including Louvre new account system for operators and pricing changes in France public attractions
  • New group or vehicle regulations in Bruges, Barcelona and Rome
  • Ongoing uncertainties around access at Zaanse Schans and questions regarding group solutions for Navigo passes in Paris.
  • Strategies for product diversification and deseasonalisation.

 

 

Group Tourism Working Group

On 20th February 2025 , ETOA hosted a meeting to discuss topical issues facing the group tourism sector. Key discussions focused on:

  • Operating tours in Venice, including the  25-person group limit, shortage of guides and the Access Fee.
  • Booking restrictions at attractions such as the Van Gogh Museum, the Louvre, and Edinburgh Castle.
  • Vehicle access changes in Edinburgh Old Town
  • Scotland Visitor Levy

Group Tourism Working Group

Companies represented at recent meetings