United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
AITO names new executive director
Former ABTOF chief Martyn Sumners has been appointed AITO executive director. He will join the association in March.
Sumners, who ran the Association of British Travel Organisers to France for seven years until 2013, is currently working as an event management consultant and corporate training provider specialising in business negotiation skills for large businesses.
AITO chairman Derek Moore said: "We had a number of strong contenders for the role of executive director, but Martyn Sumners’ previous experience with ABTOF meant that he understood AITO’s requirements as a consumer-facing travel trade association particularly well.
"He’s also worked for AITO member companies in the past, including Keycamp and Serenity Holidays, which gives him a rounded perspective from the member side of the fence, which we see as a key added bonus."
Sumners will join AITO in early March, shortly before Kate Kenward relinquishes her role as executive director.
"In the meantime, a management committee – John Tangney, Chris Rowles and I – with the back-up of our experienced AITO HQ team of Bharat Gadhoke, Pam Hersey, Yvonne Kinder, Sunny Singh and Tom Doyle, will keep things moving forward smoothly as we plan the forthcoming year and assist our members to face the challenges of Brexit," added Moore.
"We look forward very much to welcoming Martyn Sumners to AITO shortly, and hope to introduce him to members at our Annual General Meeting, on February 27."
Related News Stories:
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Storm Lilian travel chaos as bank holiday flights cancelled