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.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025