Hugh Morgan, ABTA Board director and managing director of Monarch Travel Group, will become acting chairman of ABTA until a new chairman is elected.
John McEwan retires from the post today, having completed a four-year term in office.
ABTA is seeking nominations for his replacement by May 8. A spokeswoman refused to disclose whether any nominations have already been made.
ABTA chief executive Mark Tanzer said today: "John McEwan has been an excellent chairman, guiding the Board through a thicket of complex issues.
"He has been scrupulously fair and brought to ABTA’s issues his vast industry experience. ABTA has continued to develop under his chairmanship and as a result the association is stronger today than it was four years ago."
