ITT bailed out of crisis

The financially crippled Institute of Travel and Tourism has been bailed out of its crisis by tour operators.

Only three months ago chairman Steven Freudmann pleaded for funding from the industry. Now Freudmann is claiming the ITT will return a six-figure profit by the end of the financial year in December.

“We are financially back on solid ground thanks to tremendous support from tour operators” said Freudmann.

The ITT is about to choose between three destinations – Crete, the south of France and Spain – for its 2003 conference.

The Jordan Tourism Board last month withdrew its offer to host the event after a disagreement about flight prices.

The ITT faced criticism from some members over its claim that the £100 cost of return flights to Jordan was too steep.

“More often than not it charges fees in excess of this for a dinner in London,” said Michael Booker of Kent.