Kate Kenward has left her role as managing director of the African Travel & Tourism Association, after joining as a director in January 2021.
A statement from Atta said the first phase of her contracted services is complete and “owing to the current market situation and their impact on the resources of the association, she will be leaving to resume her work as a consultant in the travel and tourism industry”.
Nigel Vere Nicoll, Atta president, said: “Although Atta’s membership revenues remain extremely strong, our exhibitions and events have been seriously affected by the pandemic and now onerous protocols continue to threaten the profitability of that side of our business.
“As a result, we have had to re-examine our resources carefully, which regrettably means that we are unable to extend Kate’s contract further, as we had wished to.”
John Corse, Atta chairman, added: “As a board director and more recently managing director of Atta, Kate has spearheaded Atta’s industry relations activities throughout the pandemic, enhanced membership engagement, our strategic direction and governance.
“We will miss her enthusiasm and energy and wish her every success for the future.”
Kenward spent 15 years as EMEA marketing communications manager for Tourism Australia and 11 years as executive director of Aito, the Specialist Travel Association.
Since leaving Aito in March 2020, Kenward has worked as a travel industry consultant.