UKinbound has appointed a veteran of the Department for International Trade (DIT) and VisitBritain as its new CEO.
Joss Croft is currently director of network communications at the DIT, having previously worked as managing director of marketing at the department and its predecessor, UK Trade and Investment.
Previoulsy Croft spent 16 years at VisitBritain, holding a number of senior positions, including manager Spain and Portugal and head of business visits and events, as well as latterly marketing director.
In this role he was instrumental in implementing the global GREAT Britain campaign.
Croft has also held posts at the London Tourist Board and Convention Bureau (now London and Partners), Parc du Futuroscope and Disneyland Paris Resort.
"I am absolutely thrilled to have been given this fantastic opportunity to represent UKinbound at this critical time for Britain’s international tourism industry," said Croft.
"Tourism provides jobs and growth across the whole of the United Kingdom and represents nearly 10% of all UK GDP. Without question, the UK is the best destination in the world, and I look forward to working with the association’s membership and colleagues to build on its success in the coming years."
UKinbound chairman Mark McVay added: "We are delighted to appoint Joss as UKinbound’s new CEO. We were impressed with his extensive experience in the tourism industry, recent work with DIT and strong leadership qualities, all of which will be incredibly valuable in his role as CEO. We are confident that he will grow and develop the association strategically and represent the interests of inbound tourism in the UK for our members."
Croft will begin his new role as CEO of UKinbound on November 26. He replaces Deirdre Wells who stepped down last month after five years in the job to take up a new position as CEO of Go To Places.
