Ian Ailles Joins ABTA Board
Date published: 25 January 2010Ian Ailles has been appointed to the ABTA Board of Directors at its meeting on 13 January. Ian chairs the Federation of Tour Operators and served in a number of very senior roles at Thomas Cook over a period of nine years. Ian is also Managing Director, European Rentals for Wyndham Exchange and Rentals.
Mark Tanzer ABTA Chief Executive said: “Ian brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the ABTA Board which will prove invaluable as we deal with important and fundamental changes to legislation together with our continuing drive to move the association forwards”
Ian Ailles, commenting on his appointment said: “ABTA represents an industry that is going through fundamental change. It is important with its 60-year heritage that ABTA remains both relevant to its members and stakeholders and helps shape the industry for the next 60 years.”
Ian oversaw the FTO’s merger with ABTA in 2007 and is treasurer of the Travel Foundation.
For further information
For further information contact:
Sean Tipton, Senior Press Officer, tel: 020 3117 0513, Frances Tuke, Public Relations Manager, tel: 020 3117 0514, Mobile 07850 712325
Out of Hours: Contact the Duty Press Officer via pager: 07659 190987
E-mail: press@abta.co.uk
Web: www.abta.com
Notes to editors
ABTA – The Travel Association was founded in 1950 and currently has 1,351 members with 5,700 outlets. Members include travel agents, tour operators and support services right across the spectrum from small family-owned businesses to the largest tour operators.
ABTA is the largest travel association in the UK and its members provide 90% of the foreign package holidays in the UK as well as selling millions of independent travel arrangements.
In 2008 ABTA merged with the Federation of Tour Operators [FTO], thereby cementing its role as the leading travel association and increasing benefits for both ABTA and FTO members. Both the ABTA brand which is highly recognised by consumers and the FTO brand which is well known in destinations will be retained.
As part of its comprehensive package of services to members, ABTA, as a non-party political organisation works to represent the interests of its Members to government and key opinion formers in the UK and EU.
