AITO chairman gets prestigious Spanish medal
AITO chairman Derek Moore has received a special award for his services to Spain.
The co-founder of Explore Worldwide was awarded the prestigious ‘Medalla de la Orden de Isabel la Católica’.
The medal was introduced by King Ferdinand VII of Spain in 1815 to recognise those whose contribution has benefited Spain and led to a significant difference in its international relations and global prestige.
Moore has worked in the tourism industry since the early 1970s and spent 13 years as a tour leader escorting groups in Spain, Morocco, the Sahara, Africa, Kathmandu and South America.
He was responsible for the organisation of the International AITO Conference in Granada in 2006 and was also influential in the decision to hold the 2002 conference in Cadiz.
Moore was welcomed to the Spanish Embassy by the ambassador of Spain, Carles Casajuana, the general director of Turespaña, Antonio Bernabé, and Ignacio Vasallo, director of the Spanish Tourist Office in London.
“Tourism to Spain isn’t just about numbers, it’s also about showing el ‘alma’ or the soul of Spain to its visitors,” said Moore in his acceptance speech.
“I must simply say thank you to Spain for all you have given me. I am honoured.â€
By Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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