CIT ceases trading in the US

Italian tour operator CIT Tours, which expanded aggressively in recent years and opened a US headquarters in New York, has reportedly ceased its US operations. CIT Tours acquired Italiatour from Alitalia in May 2003 and both CIT and Italiatour have been operating as separate brands under the same New York office, which was opened two weeks after the acquisition. It is unclear how the closure, which is being widely reported in the US, will affect operations in other markets. Travel publications in the US have reported how various CIT officials in New York have been unavailable for comment since the closure. CIT does not have a UK office, but a spokeswoman for Italiatour in the UK said she did not know what impact this would have on the business. “I’m not aware of the position with CIT, but as far as we’re concerned it’s business as usual and we are continuing to operate from the New York office and in other international markets.” She admitted trading conditions were tough, but added they were improving.“I think it’s been a slow start to the year for everyone, but that has changed in the last week or so. Bookings are picking up,” she said.