The United Federation of Travel Agents Associations (UFTAA) emanates from the Universal Federation of Travel Agents Associations created in Rome, Italy, on November 22nd 1966. UFTAA was originally founded as a result of a merger of two large world organizations. FIAV and UOTAA, recognizing the need to unify travel agencies and tour-operators into one International Federation. In 1989, coming from Brussels, UFTAA set up its General Secretariat in the Principality of Monaco.
UFTAA started its operation as a confederation on January 1st, 2003. Its a Non-Profit Confederation of International Scope, representing Regional Federations comprising some 80 national associations. UFTAA is a world body representing the travel agency and tourism industry. UFTAA effectively represents Travel Agents and Tour Operators views on both Inound and Outbound travel by continuous dialogue and consultation with other International Organization such as the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the International Hotel and Restaurant Association (IH & RA) the International Union of Railways (IUR), the International Road Union (IRU), and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) to mention only a few. UFTAA has consultative status with the UN / NGO / ECOSOC, and works closely with other world bodies such as UNESCO, who etc for a sustainable and responsible tourism. UFTAA is an affiliate member of the World Tourism Organization Business Council (WTOBC).
International Civil Aviation Organization :
The International Civil Aviation Organization (The ICAO); a major agency of the United Nations, codifies the Principles and Techniques of International Air Navigation and Fosters the Planning and Development of International Air Transport to ensure safe and orderly growth. Its Headquarters are located in the Quartier International of Montreal, Canada. The ICAO Council adopts standards and recommended practices concerning Air-Navigation, Its Infrastructure, Flight Inspection, prevention of Unlawful interference, and facilitation of border-crossing procedures for International Civil Aviation. In Addition, the ICAO defines the Protocols for Air-Accident investigation followed by transport safety authorities in countries signatory to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, commonly known as the Chicago Convention. The ICAO should not be confused with the Internaitonal Air Transport Association (IATA) ; a Trade Organization for Airlines also headquartered in Montreal, or with the Civil Air Navigation Services Organization (CANSO), an organization for Air- Navigation Service Providers (ANSP's) with its Headquarters at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in the Netherlands.
The International Civil Aviation Organization, (ICAO) is an organization based in Montreal, established by the Chicago Convention of 4th April 1947 to Oversee International Co-operation in Civil Aviation. There are currently 190 Members states, including obviously, Italy, a member since 1949. ICAO is an autonomous specialized agency of the UN responsible for Civil Aviation with its own judicial authority, the scope of which is the development of the principles and techniques of the International Air-Navigation and to promote the planning and Development of Air Transport. In order to reinforce this global vision, the set strategic objectives for the period 2005-2010 are listed below:
- To improve Global Flight safety and Security;
- To Minimize the negative effects of Aviation on the Environment;
- To improve the efficiency of Operations associated with Air Transport and their continuity;
- To reinforce the Laws Governing International Civil Aviation;
- ICAO objectives are implemented through the drafting of standards, providing technical Assistance and arranging for the exchange of Information.