Trade group formed to help destinations promote tourism

A new trade association has been set up to help promote new, emerging and established destinations to develop their tourism industries worldwide. 

The London-based Association for International Travel and Tourism (AITT) aims to promote leisure and business travel across the globe.

It will do this by providing an international information exchange platform and a range of skills and activities that will enable countries to develop their home-grown tourism industries.

Director general, John Pinniger said: “We felt there was a gap in the market for a membership organisation that helped to awaken interest in new and emerging destinations as well as strengthening awareness of more established resorts and cities in every continent.”

The association will provide services which include: government and media relations, industry networking events and arranging international training programmes.

To achieve its objectives the AITT will be working closely with other associations, clubs and educational groups in the international travel industry to ensure a wide reach of news and information about the countries and destinations it represents.

It is led by a general management committee with directors responsible for each region of the world. There is an executive committee dealing with the main day-to-day functions and liaison directors who handle links with hotels, airlines, rail travel operators and other associations.

Although based in London it also has directors in other parts of the world such as North America and India. It works with national tourism offices, resorts, cities, travel industry companies.

Pinniger added: “We will be campaigning for ecologically sustainable tourism developments as well as helping to raise professional standards in the hospitality industry. This means putting national tourism offices in touch with the best training facilities in the UK and helping to set up local training academies”.

Membership is open to everyone from national tourism offices, cities and resorts through to travel companies, individuals and students, who can benefit from activities including: regular newsletter, partnerships with international tourism associations, professional development in association with colleges and commercial training providers, and networking events with diverse destinations and service providers.