The Group Travel Organisers Association (GTOA) has appointed travel PR Mike Bugsgang to the newly-created position of chief executive.
The move is part of a restructuring of the organisiation, which represents the interests of those who organise tours and trips for groups as well as businesses that provide services for group travel.
Bugsgang will start on March 1 and report to a newly constituted board of the association headed by chairman, Yvonne White.
He will be responsible for developing the future strategy of GTOA including membership, events and marketing communications.
The part-time chief executive role will enable Bugsgang to continue in his capacity as managing director of tourism specialist PR consultancy, Bugsgang & Associates.
Prior to setting up the consultancy, he held senior positions at Hilton International Hotels, Ladbroke Hotels & Holidays and the London Tourist Board.
He is a board director of the Tourism Society and a former chairman of the Chartered Institute of Marketing Travel Industry Group.
White said: “I am delighted we have secured the services of Mike Bugsgang to become the association’s very first chief executive. He brings with him a wealth of experience covering the inbound, outbound and domestic tourism markets.”
Bugsgang said: “The groups market makes a huge contribution to the UK’s tourism economy and offers great potential for expansion.
“I am honoured to be given the opportunity to join GTOA at such an exciting time in the organisation’s development.”