AITO – The Specialist Travel Association has announce a new membership option to support small specialist tour operator startups in the travel industry.
It will operate as AITO Aspire.
With the travel industry continuing to evolve, there have been many new entrants into the travel industry over the past few years.
The new membership category is designed for SMEs which have not yet met the current two-year trading requirement for full AITO membership.
The aim is to provide what AITO sees as much-needed mentorship and advice.
Martyn Sumners, Executive Director of AITO said: “We are regularly contacted by recently-launched companies seeking to find their way through the complex rules and regulations with which travel companies are expected to comply.”
“We are delighted to launch this and hugely useful membership platform. We believe that AITO Aspire will prove to be a safe harbour in which start-ups can flourish and prosper.”
Tour operators most likely to be interested in the scheme will have a turnover of less than £750,000 and will be able to take advantage of a wide range of benefits geared to help SMEs.
These will include networking at events, training courses, access to shared business resources and advice, plus other AITO initiatives.
AITO’s aim is for AITO Aspire companies to become fully-fledged AITO members, subject to meeting AITO’s stringent membership criteria, starting from their second trading anniversary.
