Balkan Federation of Travel Agencies Association – BAFTAA was established as the outcome of cooperation efforts so far and as an expression of the wishes and intentions of national associations of tourist and travel agencies

of the Balkan countries to promote and enhance tourist trade and appear jointly in the third countries, with an idea to integrate tourist potentials of the Balkan region.

On March 30, 2003 in Athens the following associations signed BAFTAA's Charter of Foundation: ANAT – Romania, ATAA – Albania, ATAM – FYR of Macedonia, BATA – Bulgaria, HATTA – Greece, TURSAB – Turkey, UTA BIH – Bosnia and Herzegovina and YUTA – Serbia and Montenegro.

BAFTAA is based in Athens, where Mr. Yiannis Evangelou (HATTA President) was appointed the fist President and Ms. Nela Sandalska (BATA) and Mr. Basaran Ulusoy (TURSAB) were appointed the Vice-presidents.

The Federation is a stable, but flexible structure that will enable its members to plan and implement their activities and programs and, thus, achieve common goals such as: development of tourism in the Balkan countries, increase of tourist trade among the member countries, promotion and development of tourism aimed at third countries, etc. so as to make the Balkan region one of major travel destinations.

Interactive activities among the members will comprise sharing of experience, information and attitudes, including statistical, demographic and socio-economic approach to tourist recourses of the member countries, as well as mutual cooperation among them in respect of the existing facilities, tourist establishments, legislation, organization of the tourist trade by the states, developing strategy and programs and other relevant factors in the promotion of tourism.

One of the objectives set out by the Federation is the cooperation in achieving the goals of common interest, with special emphasis on the quality in tourism, travelers' protection, professional training for travel agency staff, improvement of professional knowledge and awareness, etc.

With an aim of attaining its strategic goals, BAFTAA is open to all kinds of cooperation and ties with all other associations or organizations engaged in tourism or other complementary activities, either as associate members or otherwise.