ABTA has recruited former TTC Training managing
director Barry Butler to persuade more domestic operators to join the
association.
Butler will work on a consultancy basis
with the primary aim of forming close dialogue with sectors currently
under-represented in Newman Street.
While the domestic market will be Butler’s major
focus, he will also be responsible for a general recruitment drive, with cruise
companies another target.
Butler, who is still involved with TTC Training, was
unavailable for comment.
ABTA is known to favour a closer relationship with
domestic operators, few of whom are members, partly because it will get the
association closer to Government policy makers for lobbying purposes.
President John Harding last week admitted the
Government was less interested in industries that export currency – such as overseas
operators – but was more receptive to domestic companies.