Institute of Travel and Tourism chief executive Linda Gibson has stepped down from the post following an internal disciplinary hearing.
Her future had been hanging in the balance since the ITTboard of directors suspended her on full pay last month, after she was found guilty by an employment tribunal of racial discrimination against former employee Gina Superville (Travel Weekly, October 4).
ITT chairman Jackie Kernaghan refused to discuss the situation but Gibson is thought to have received a pay-off in return for keeping silent on the issue. The ITT is expected to replace the chief executive post with an executive director.
Meanwhile, Bedford Employment Tribunal is believed to have awarded Superville substantial damages last week for the racial discrimination she suffered and loss of earnings. The damages are expected to be covered by the ITT’s insurance policy.
The ITT has announced that P&OCruises managing director Gwyn Hughes is to become its next president, taking over from Richard Lovell at the ITT’s presidential dinner on Thursday. Hughes will serve a two-year term.