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AITO forced to find new executive director

The Association of Independent Tour Operators is on the recruitment trail again after its newly appointed executive director quit the role after just four weeks.

Former marketing and tourism development manager for the government of St Helena Alistair McLean left due to personal reasons and with the mutual agreement of the association.

AITO must now restart its recruitment process which was originally began when former executive director Angela Simpson announced her departure. McLean officially took on the role on April 22 after a two week lead-in period.

Chairman Derek Moore said: “These things happen and we wish Alistair well in the future. Peter Burgess has taken over the Executive Director’s duties in a caretaker capacity while we re-start our 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.

“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 rather than later when we’d be caught up in detailed planning for the annual overseas conference in November and marketing plans for 2009.”

Anyone potentially interested in the executive director’s role should contact Peter Burgess at AITO on 020 8744 9280; a detailed job specification is available.

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