Vale Ossie Pitts: Travel industry legend and former ATIA president leaves a 101-year legacy

Vale Ossie Pitts: Travel industry legend and former ATIA president leaves a 101-year legacy
Edited by Travel Weekly


The travel industry is today celebrating the 101 years of Ossie Pitts AM RD’s life, a long-serving president of ATIA and former Chair of the Travel Compensation Fund.

Pitts served on ATIA’s board for 13 years, including six years as President (1969–71 and 1984–86).

He represented AFTA on the board of the world body of travel agents (UFTAA) over an eight-year term and became president for two separate years. He worked tirelessly for the industry, and in 1987, he became chair of a new government body, the Travel Compensation Fund, administering to 3,500 travel agents. In 1988, he was awarded an AM for his services to the travel industry.

After a distinguished career at sea, Pitts started working for his then father-in-law at Butler Air Transport in 1956, which was taken over by Reg Ansett in 1968. Pitts founded Mercury Travel and worked across several agencies, before finishing his career with Travels World at Crows Nest in Sydney, retiring at the age of 85.

Pitts passed away at the age of 101 years old on 10 January 2025.

“Ossie Pitts was a visionary leader whose contributions to travel nationally and internationally were both transformational and enduring,” ATIA chair Christian Hunter said.

“His tireless dedication to ensuring professionalism, integrity and consumer protection continues to resonate within the Australian Travel Industry today.”

“On behalf of ATIA and the entire travel community, we extend our deepest sympathies to Ossie’s family and friends.”

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

Latest News

  • Events

AIME 2025 is underway!

If you're headed down to AIME we hope you brought your networking shoes because it's going to be big!

  • Events

IAAPA Expo Asia 2025 opens exhibitor registration

The IAAPA Expo Asia, the premier amusement industry trade show in the Asia-Pacific, has opened exhibitor registrations for its 2025 event on 30 June to 3 July in Shanghai. This international extravaganza showcases the newest technological advancements and innovative solutions in the attractions industry from more than 300 exhibitors, with over 10,000 attendees expected to […]