New AITO boss quits
The newly appointed executive director of AITO has stood down after just a month citing personal reasons.
A statement from the Association of Independent Tour Operators said Alistair McLean had left the association for “personal reasons and by mutual agreement”.
Chairman Derek Moore (Explore) said: “These things happen and we wish Alistair well in the future.”
Membership manager Peter Burgess has taken over the executive director’s duties in a caretaker capacity while the association re-starts a recruitment drive.
“Peter is very knowledgeable about the industry in general and AITO in particular, and I’m confident he’ll do a sterling job,” said Moore.
He added: “It’s a great pity that things haven’t worked out with Alistair.
“Whilst we were disappointed to see him go, we felt it better sooner than later when we’d be caught up in detailed planning for the annual overseas conference in November and marketing plans for 2009.”
McLean had joined AITO from the St Helena Tourist Office.
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026