Pat Dawson, the chief executive of the Irish Travel Agents Association, has today announced his intention to retire from the association at the end of April after 13 years in the role.
Mr Dawson started his career in the tourism industry with Joe Walsh Tours in the early 1970s before moving to Aer Lingus Holidays.
He then opened his own travel agency, Dawson Travel, in Cork which is operated today by his son Paul.
Paul Hackett, President of the ITAA, said Mr Dawson's retirement will mark the end of a remarkable career within the travel industry.
"During Pat's tenure, he guided the association through somewhat turbulent times from ash clouds to the Covid pandemic, through the intricacies of the Package Travel Directive and the issues of licensing and bonding for travel agents," Mr Hackett said.
"As I approach my 13th year as CEO of the Irish Travel Agents Association, and after almost 50 years in the travel industry, I believe now is the right time for me to step down," Pat Dawson said today.
"I look forward to my retirement, devoting more time to my family, looking forward to pursuing my many sporting interests and, of course, spending more time travelling for pleasure," he added.
The Board of the ITAA will now begin the process of recruiting a new CEO.
