ABTA names new president
Travelscene’s John Harding has been elected the new president of ABTA, replacing Stephen Bath with immediate effect.
Mr Harding beat off competition from two rival candidates Gwyn Hughes (P&O Travel) and Sandy MacPherson (Voyager Travel).
Eighteen ABTA directors participated in the vote, but the association declined to reveal how many votes each candidate received.
Mr Harding told TravelMole: “I’m very pleased. I worked hard for it and to convince people what I thought were the priorities that the association should be working towards and I think that people were convinced.”
He told TravelMole that tackling fraud, working towards a “level playing field” with the low cost airlines and reducing bonding costs would be his three key objectives in his new post. Mr Harding added: “I have been on the board for a long time – 14 terms in the last 18 years and I am well aware of the key issues we face.”
ABTA Chief Executive Ian Reynolds said: “The President should be one who can represent the industry and command respect – both from within the Association and in the world outside – and John fulfils both these criteria admirably. We are delighted that he is taking over this important role and look forward to a successful year under his leadership.”
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