Paul Ovington will retire from the Coach Tourism Association (CTA) as soon as the organisation finds a successor.
He has worked at the CTA for 12 years, first as a PR consultant before taking on the administration office.
He has been the main link with the membership, developed and run the CTA’s annual events programme, helped build membership, and headed the development of the two websites and annual Handbook.
At the same time he has helped to give coach tourism a positive profile in the national and regional consumer media through a series of press trips in the UK and abroad, and handled the CTA’s PR work.
Paul says: “What started out as very much a part-time role has become a full-time position, and at my age I want to have more time for family life and leisure.
“I’d like to thank everyone associated with the CTA for their support – not least Sean Taggart who I worked with during his 10 years as chairman, and more recently our current chair, Denise Bridges –and of course all of those who have served on the CTA Board.
“Last but not least my oldest friend Chris Wales, the CTA CE, who originally got me involved with the organisation and with whom I have worked – I like to think successfully – for many years.
“I am sure we’ll continue to hold ‘meetings’ in Wetherspoons!
“As Chris tells journalists on press trips, you start out as strangers but at the end of the trip you are friends. Over the years many CTA members have become firm friends, and I hope I’ll be able to keep my connections with them in the future."
The CTA board has decided to create a new role of 'Membership Support Services'. Contact Chris Wales at chris@coachtourismassociation.co.uk
