John Wimbleton, managing director of Tui Travel’s specialist and activity sector, is to leave the business at the end of December.
Wimbleton, a former managing director of distribution and activity for First Choice, has been with the business for 22 years of a 35-year industry career.
He told Travel Weekly that he had decided to leave Tui Travel in order to “take a well-earned break and travel extensively”.
He said: “It has been a bit of a wrench but I have not had a break in 35 years and the longest holiday I have had was two weeks.
“I have been working with Peter (Long, group chief executive) and he has been fantastic and very supportive of my decision.
“We will continue to work together to ensure the business is in safe hands.”
He added: “I have been here 22 years and worked with Peter for 16, and have had the immense pleasure of working with some of the best people in the industry and have done some incredible things.
“Running retail was fantastic, and in the specialist business I leave behind a unique portfolio which is unmatched anywhere in the world.”
Long will personally take responsibility for the sector from October 1, working with the managing directors across the division.
In a statement to staff, he said: “John has been a key member of my management team since I joined the Group in 1996 and has contributed greatly to the success of both First Choice and Tui Travel.
“John is a very popular and well respected colleague in the Group and is well known within the UK leisure travel industry. It has been a pleasure to have worked with him over the past 16 years and I will miss him both personally and professionally.”