AITO, the Association of Independent Tour Operators, recently met with new Deputy Director at the Department for Transport, Eirik Pitkethly, just weeks into his role.
Pitkethly has previously worked at the EU and in other UK civil service roles, but is new to the travel industry.
Key points discussed included reduction of bureaucracy (relating to licensable/non-licensable business) along with simplification of procedures, involvement of the industry in regulation issues, flexibility of approach in financial protection and, all importantly, a level playing field - plus progress on the new PTD, now due in 2018.
Pitkethly is also involved in delayed departure regulation at the DfT.
AITO chairman, Derek Moore, said: ?We were pleased to meet Eirik Pitkethly so soon after his appointment. He noted the complexity and piecemeal nature of the legislation in which we are all embroiled. We hope, naturally, that a fresh look from an experienced civil servant will help us to resolve some of the longstanding issues.?
Pictured after the meeting at AITO?s Twickenham HQ are, from the left: Noel Josephides, Sunvil Holidays; Kate Kenward, AITO; and Eirik Pitkethly, Department for Transport.
