Former ABTA president and AITO chairman Colin Trigger has died at the age of 83 after a long illness.
Trigger started his career in travel in 1958 and ran Scandinavian specialist operator Scantours, which he sold in 1999.
He served a term as ABTA president in 1994 and became chairman of AITO in 2000.
ABTA financial protection and financial services director John de Vial said: "Abta was saddened to hear of the death of ex-Abta president Colin Trigger.
"Colin was a larger than life character who did great service to ABTA and our members both in his time as chairman of the Tour Operators Council and subsequently as ABTA president from 1994-1997.
"Colin deserves our thanks and gratitude for everything he did for the association and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time."
A private family funeral will be held on April 17 in Teignmouth, Devon, followed by a celebration of his life at Teign Heritage Centre in Teignmouth.
