Global distribution systems, online travel agencies and other players in the digital travel sector are calling on the European Commission to include them in plans for financial support resulting from the coronavirus outbreak.
Governments in member states and the commission itself are being urged to consider the "whole leisure and business travel ecosystem" when the time comes to bailout airlines and hotels.
Companies in this vast, additional area would include those involved in marketing, distribution and support travel suppliers - many of which will be suffering a similar downturn in business as their consumer-facing partners.
Lobbying organization EU Travel Tech (formerly ETTSA), which includes the likes of Amadeus, Travelport, Booking.com, Expedia Group, Skyscanner, Tripadvisor and eDreams ODIGEO as members, says the COVID-19 outbreak represents an "exceptional challenge across our society and economy."
The brands it represents "are providing information and adapting the way they do business with their suppliers, big and small, be it airlines, hotels, short-term rental hosts, restaurants, bus companies and tourist guides," it says.
It says the European Commission should provide "efficient and immediate support" to those brands working behind the scenes.
Secretary General of EU Travel Tech, Emmanuel Mounier, says: "Our members support efforts to back airlines, hotels and other suppliers. "However, it is of utmost importance that the European Commission and Member States include exceptional measures to assist the whole industry.
"This means policies that support the entire travel ecosystem, including travel agents (online and offline), technology solutions providers such as global distribution systems, travel platforms for accommodation, metasearch and travel management companies."