Outgoing board member Alan Cornish has lashed out at ABTA’s proposed restructure in an e-mail to more than 700 tour operator members.
The move widened the growing rift between Cornish and ABTA, which only agreed to send the e-mail to band A category members on its database with a disclaimer to make clear the views were not that of the board or management.
The e-mail criticised planned changes, to be put to a vote at an extraordinary general meeting on April 3, saying a reduction in the board’s size and the number of elected representatives caused Cornish “grave concern”.
Before the e-mail was sent a row erupted, with Cornish claiming ABTA initially refused to send it for several days. ABTA had to send the e-mail on his behalf because he does not have access to members’ addresses.
“ABTA said I should follow the line of the board because I was elected to it, and I said I should follow the line of those who elected me,” said Cornish.
He added: “The battle is only just beginning.”
Meanwhile, Cornish, who retires in two months, said he had received an “e-mail of support” from another board member.
However, ABTA chief executive Mark Tanzer denied any censorship or negative feedback from board members.
He stressed the need for a disclaimer because it would be confusing for members to receive mixed messages.
“When the ABTA board has made a decision and sent out a communication to all members about the changes, it’s very difficult to send out another e-mail saying something else,” he said.
“If members do not accept the recommendations, the board will have to have a major rethink – but I do not anticipate that happening.”
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