Oliver Broad, chairman of AITO Specialist Travel Agents, will stand down at this year’s conference.
His term comes to an end in September but his successor will be announced at the AITO Agents’ conference in Prague and Pilsen this June.
"I have thoroughly enjoyed my involvement with AITO over the past four years and will continue to be a strong supporter of the organisation," he said.
AITO chairman Derek Moore added: "Oliver’s inimitable passion for travel in general and the independent agency sector in particular have been inspirational from AITO and AITO Specialist Travel Agents’ perspective.
"He’s put huge amounts of energy into the role, and encouraged others to do likewise; his enthusiasm is infectious. We shall miss his go-getting modus operandi and thank him, on behalf of everyone, for all his work.
"We will miss both the passion he brought to the role and the humour – whether skydiving for charity or dressing up as a duck (you had to be there…) – which brought a smile to all in the midst of a recession.
"We mustn’t forget that he’s got four months still to go as chairman, however, and that he’ll be leading the conference in Prague in June and will in fact be chairman until the end of August. We’re sure he’s not going to let things slip during that time and that he will hand over the reins of the organisation to his successor in top-notch condition."
