ABTA announces today, (Monday 9 May), the new line-up for its Travel Industry Partner (TIP) Steering Group for the year 2005/06.

The ABTA TIP scheme was set up at the end of 1996 in response to the demand from companies seeking to develop closer links with the Association, and it now has 158 members.

Companies can join the scheme if they operate in the UK and provide products, services or information sold or used by tour operators and travel agents. Businesses in the scheme are diverse and include organisations such as tourist boards, airlines, hotels, car hire, marketing and technology companies.

The ten places on the Steering Group are voted for by other members within the scheme and represent seven industry categories. The new line-up is as follows:

Aviation Gill Craig, Air France Destinations Ignacio Vasallo, Spanish Tourist Office

Education, training and recruitment Ian McHaffie, C&I Representation Two representatives for hospitality, transport and ancillary services Eleni Jordan, Airport Express Issy Wiggins, Easy Autos Insurance Darryl Helliwell, Union Reiseversicherung AG IT Peter Muller, Telme Farebase Three representatives for Services Rebecca Arnold, Field Fisher Waterhouse David Perl, Docleaf Lee Hills, asb law The Steering Group meets two to three times a year in order to strengthen the links between Travel Industry Partners and ABTA Members and discusses issues and developing projects that are of common interest.

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For further information contact: Frances Tuke or Sean Tipton, ABTA Corporate Affairs, tel. 0207 307 1900.