TravelMole Interview: Andy Cooper, director general, FTO

Thursday, 27 Jun, 2003 0

New Federation of Tour Operators director general Andy Cooper has pledged to give the association a more clearly defined role and increase its influence over key issues affecting tourism.

Mr Cooper took over the role from Alan Flook just three weeks ago after 14 years at MyTravel, most recently as head of legal services.

Mr Cooper said Mr Flook had done some excellent work in modernising the FTO, which represents about 90% of the UK’s package holiday operators, and it was now time to progress with the changes.

“The FTO has grown organically and has sometimes been seen as nebulous,” admitted Mr Cooper.

“Some people wonder what it is we do. Remember, it was the old Tour Operators’ Study Group, which used to meet once a month and discuss issues.

“Now we are much more about delivering improvements to the industry and we need to be clearly positioned in that role.”

Mr Cooper said the FTO was particularly good at pushing through improvements in health and safety issues.

“We can get involved in all non-competitive issues,” he said. “Now we are pushing for improvements in sustainable tourism and want to help countries improve their tourism infrastructure.”

Mr Cooper said Bulgaria was now becoming increasing popular and the FTO would be talking to tourism chiefs to help them develop their infrastructure.

“They need to learn the lessons of others,” said Mr Cooper. “I think Spain has grown particularly well but the Dominican Republic, for example, has had problems with its infrastructure.

“It has built big hotels without really having anything else to go with them.”

When Mr Cooper took over his role at the FTO, he described it as his “dream job”.

“I really meant that, because I’m a lawyer and there aren’t many jobs you can move on to from head of legal services,” he said.

“But this has given me the opportunity to take a change of direction and I’m relishing the role.”

Mr Cooper said he took no pleasure in the problems at his former company, MyTravel, which has reported huge losses and seen a complete collapse of its share price.

“I still have a lot of affection for the company,” he said. “And I think it has now turned the corner.”

Read our previous interviews:
20-June-2003 TravelMole Interview: Vic Macchio, executive director, TOWARD
13-June-2003 TravelMole Interview: Mark Thomas, founder, Infovisual
13-June-2003 TravelMole Interview: Ian Reynolds, chief executive, ABTA
06-June-2003 Interview: James Smithner, senior analyst, Control Risks Group
30-May-2003 TravelMole Interview: Marwhan Khoury, director of tourism for Jordan
16-May-2003 TravelMole Interview: Keith Webber, Telewest business, travel sector
16-May-2003 TravelMole Interview: Tim Argent, TravelOptions sales and marketing director