Advantage boss John McEwan is to go head-to-head with Britaly Travel director Daniele Broccoli for the role of ABTA chairman.
For the first time, ABTA members will have the chance to vote for their preferred candidate. Voting forms will now be distributed and the closing date for the return of ballot papers is June 10.
ABTA chief executive Mark Tanzer announced the two candidates after the nominations period closed at 5pm today. He said: “This is an important role and I encourage all ABTA members to take an active part in the election.”
Broccoli, who was nominated by Sunvil managing director Noel Josephides and seconded by former Thomas Cook boss John de Vial, said: “This is the time for an independent travel agent to become chairman of ABTA. In these tough times, I want to make sure the voice of the independent agent is heard and the only person to do that is someone from the front line.”
Advantage chief executive John McEwan, nominated by The Co-operative Travel managing director Mike Greenacre and seconded by Monarch Group overseas director and head of purchasing Hugh Morgan, said if voted ABTA chairman he would seek to create a less divided association and tackle some of the key issues in the trade, including government lobbying and taxation.
McEwan, who runs the independent consortium of Advantage travel agents but is understood to have the support of the big two tour operators, said: “I think ABTA and its members are facing a challenging environment. What it really requires is someone who works with the board, the executive and the members.
“It’s a real opportunity and needs a blend of skills and experience, which is why when I was asked I said I would be prepared to stand.”
It was decided at an ABTA AGM last month that the role of president would be replaced with chairman.
- McEwan or Broccoli? Vote on our homepage poll (closes May 22)
Broccoli and McEwan: Selected articles from Travel Weekly
Daniele Broccoli
- Interview: Daniele Broccoli, Britaly Travel
- Broccoli returns to ABTA Board
- Agents and operators are uniting again: opinion by Daniele Broccoli
- ABTA elections 2009: Candidate statements and histories
John McEwan