WTTC’s COO to become BHA chief
Sunday, 06 Apr, 2010
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The British Hospitality Association has appointed a new chief executive.
Ufi Ibrahim (38), chief operations officer of the World Travel & Tourism Council, will succeed Bob Cotton on July 19.
She has advised on policymaking and the development of planning frameworks for the long-term success of travel and tourism.
Ibrahim has also been instrumental in establishing the annual Global Travel & Tourism Summit of industry leaders.
Prior to joining WTTC in 2000, she was in charge of the American Express Global Passport and Visa Unit for five years.
Ibrahim said: “Hospitality is a key pillar of Britain’s economy, particularly in the
long-term.
“The half a million people collectively employed by BHA members represent not only the best of British hospitality and tourism but also the best of British industry.
"I cherish the responsibility to ensure the alignment of public and commercial policy to ensure British hospitality’s sustainable success in what is now a highly competitive international tourism industry.
“I look forward to working with BHA members and UK tourism organisations – and the government – to advance hospitality’s role as a generator of employment and prosperity across the United Kingdom.”
BHA president Sir David Michels said: “Bob Cotton has done a fantastic job in ten years but challenges, of course, remain and new challenges emerge and we move on.
“Ufi Ibrahim will be able to lead the BHA forward at a key time for both UK tourism and the hospitality industry as the country slowly emerges out of recession.”
Dudley Osborn, chairman of the BHA’s national executive, said Ibrahim’s experience and knowledge of domestic and international tourism would greatly benefit the British hospitality industry.
“Under her positive leadership, we will campaign with added vigour for the UK government to take tourism more seriously than it does at present,” he said.
“This remains one of the BHA’s key aims and Ms Ibrahim’s appointment emphasises the importance we attach to developing more strategic government support for UK tourism under the new government.”
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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