Rob becomes President of Incoming Tour Operators
ROB Rankin, MD of Vagabond Tours in Newtownmountkennedy, has been elected the President of the Incoming Tour Operators Association (ITOA).
The group is comprised of 32 of Ireland’s inbound tour operators that collectively deliver 750,000 tourists to Ireland from around the globe.
Outgoing ITOA President Darren Byrne said: ‘I am delighted to be passing the chain of office to Rob.’
The handover took place at a meeting of the group at Dromoland Castle Hotel near Shannon. Founded in 1978, ITOA collaborates with Failte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland and is a member of Irish Tourism Industry Confederation.
Speaking as he accepted the role of President, Mr Rankin said: ‘The Incoming Tour Operators Association is undoubtedly one of the most respected associations in Ireland tourism. I am honoured to be appointed President of the board I have served on since 2014. As with any time in business, we do face challenges such as uncertainty around Brexit, international security concerns and, of course, we need to advance towards a more sustainable business model. So I can’t imagine there will be a dull moment in the next two years,’
Ruth Andrews, CEO of ITOA, said: ‘Rob Rankin has been a strong contributor to the association since joining and becoming a member of the executive board in 2014. I know that he will bring great energy and enthusiasm in serving the members and representing the ITOA within Irish Tourism.’