ATIA chair Tom Manwaring steps down from chair and board roles

ATIA chair Tom Manwaring steps down from chair and board roles
Edited by Travel Weekly


The Australian Travel Industry Association chair, Tom Manwaring, will step down after six years in the role and 10 years as a director.

Manwaring will retire from ATIA after fulfilling Chair duties at the ATIA AGM tomorrow, 19 June, in Sydney. This follows the announcement of the departures of both Roy Merricks and Spiros Alysandratos who will also step down from the board tomorrow.

“I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together over the past decade. Serving on the Board and leading as chair has been an honour,” he said.

“During my tenure I have been surrounded by a highly committed and proactive Board and Management team. Together, our collective efforts have strengthened the Association, delivering significant value and support to our members during both prosperous and challenging times.

“With ATIA now in an excellent position both at a board and management level, it is the right time to allow a new industry leader to take the helm. I would like to thank all those I have served with on the Board over the years, the team at ATIA who continue to go from strength to strength under CEO Dean Long, as well as my team at ETG who have been so supportive of my contribution at board level.

“There’s still more to do in bedding down the ETG/HLO integration, so while I’d like to say I look forward to relaxing more, my days are still going to be busy.

“This is a remarkable organisation that has and will continue to make a real mark in our members’ businesses. The upcoming AGM will see new Directors step up and add their expertise to the Board. This renewal is important and marks the next exciting stage in our contribution as a peak body to our members and to Travel.
ATIA said his contributions have been instrumental in guiding the organisation through some of the most challenging and transformative periods in its history.”

Since joining the Board on 22 July 2014, Manwaring has been a driving force behind many significant milestones. ATIA said his leadership was pivotal during the COVID-19 pandemic, where his strategic guidance and relentless pursuit of Federal and State Government support helped navigate the Association and the Sector through unprecedented times.

The securing of the $270m Consumer Travel Support Grant was a critical win for the Australian Travel Sector and Manwaring was instrumental in the ongoing advocacy required on its implementation.

As Chair since December 2018, Manwaring has played a crucial role in the development and implementation of the new constitution, ensuring that the ATIA remains a “fit for purpose” organisation, well-positioned to support and advocate for the Travel industry, the industry body said.

Other significant reforms during Manwaring’s time as chair include the updating of the constitution, enhanced member representation, the ongoing evolution of ATAS and the rebranding of the organisation from the Australian Federation of Travel Agents to the Australian Travel Industry Association.

ATIA life member Spiros Alysandtratos to step down from board after 16 years, Roy Merricks follows suit – Travel Weekly

Latest News

  • Famil

TravHost launches expert hosting service to transform industry famils

TravHost offers a pioneering service bridging the gap between media professionals, travel agents and tourism organisations, addressing the demand for exceptional famil hosts. Founded by seasoned travel media professionals Fiona Harper and Carolyne Jasinski, TravHost is poised to revolutionise the way tourism organisations and travel companies approach famils. With decades of experience in tourism and […]

  • Tour Operators
  • Travel Agents

Book big and bag a spot of the TTC Tour Brand’s Top Achievers’ Famil

TTC Tour Brands’ Top Achievers Famil incentive is back, rewarding top-selling agents with the chance to embark on an unforgettable trip to a destination that remains a secret – for now. Agents who have sold any Luxury Gold, Insight Vacations, Trafalgar, Costsaver and Contiki, from 1 December 2024 to 14 March 2025, go into the […]

  • Business Travel
  • Conferences

New Zealand International Convention Centre to open in February 2026

The New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) has announced it is opening its doors to New Zealand and world conferences and events in February 2026. The long-awaited NZICC is set to transform New Zealand’s conference and events industry, boosting visitation and the wider economy with its world-class facilities. Located in the heart of Auckland’s CBD, […]

  • Cruise
  • Events

AmaWaterways invites AU/NZ travel trade to An Evening with AmaWaterways events

AmaWaterways has announced the dates of its upcoming An Evening with AmaWaterways events for travel advisors, just over a year after it entered the Australian and New Zealand markets. Dedicated to travel advisors, the events will be held in six cities and will be hosted by AmaWaterways’ regional sales managers, plus feature a presentation from […]

  • Destinations
  • Tourism

Mooloolaba cruise season boosts Sunshine Coast tourism and trade

Mooloolaba is set to welcome a series of cruise ships through February and March 2025, significantly boosting local businesses and tourism to the Sunshine Coast. Their arrival is expected to create a vibrant atmosphere and provide a substantial economic uplift to the region. Viking Sky kicks off the season on Sunday 8 February, with 930 […]

  • Food & Beverage

Little Pete Brewing opens first of its kind open-air bar

Little Pete Brewing has opened a new open-air bar at 543 Step Rd, Langhorne Creek, a must-visit South Australia destination for a drink with a view. The first-of-its-kind open-air bar sits on 8ha, surrounded by vineyards and paddocks, with the Bremer River flowing nearby and framed by majestic ancient river red gums. “We always felt […]

  • Events

CENTREPIECE is set to make a splash at AIME 2025

CENTREPIECE is set to make a splash at AIME 2025 with a one-of-a-kind activation that showcases their world-class event capabilities to inspire event planners and decision-makers. CENTREPIECE is located in the heart of Melbourne & Olympic Parks, Victoria’s epicentre for live sports and entertainment and home to world-renowned venues including Rod Laver Arena, AAMI Park, […]

  • Destinations
  • Tourism

NYC Tourism + Conventions announces two exciting new events

NYC Tourism + Conventions has announced ‘NYC Off-Broadway Week 2025’ and ‘Value Family Activities’ events lined up for this year. NYC Off-Broadway Week 2025 2-for-1 ticket sales for this event have begun with this season’s program featuring 29 Off-Broadway performances, including 18 new participants. The twice-yearly program runs from 17 February through 9 March with […]

  • Events
  • Tourism

Jeju wins bid to host 2028 Asia-Pacific Microscopy Conference

The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) has successfully secured the 14th Asia-Pacific Microscopy Conference (APMC14) for Jeju in November 2028. This was achieved in partnership with the Korean Society of Microscopy, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, Jeju Convention Bureau, and Jeju International Convention Center. Korea was selected as the final host after strong competition at the 13th […]

  • Cruise
  • Food & Beverage

Oceania Cruises sets new standard for onboard dining: one chef for every 10 guests

Oceania Cruises, renowned for The Finest Cuisine at Sea, has set a new standard for onboard dining with an exquisite new menu evolution in The Grand Dining Room. Launching on its newest 1,200-guest ship, Allura, in July 2025, the reimagined menus introduce over 270 brand-new recipes, from curated Signature Eggs Benedict breakfast selection to a chic French […]