Experienced tourism professional Andrew Guthrie has been appointed chief executive officer of the Coach Tourism Association. He will oversee the organisation’s management and strategic direction as the CTA continues to expand its membership and remit.
In his role as CEO, Andrew will report to the CTA board of directors, led by chairman Rober Shaw. He will be supported by CTA operations director, Isabelle Sanzelle, who is advising on the organisation’s strategy, as well as managing the association on an ongoing basis.
Andrew will also be supported by communications director, Helen Bowron, who manages member relations and plans the organisation’s key events. Communications specialist Alex Byles will continue to provide media, social media, and member communications to the CTA.
Robert Shaw said: “As the CTA membership grows and the organisation’s remit expands, Andrew will be responsible for implementing the infrastructure that will enable the organisation to respond to these new demands.
“The CTA has an effective managerial team in place, and with Andrew’s experience and extensive industry connections supporting our capabilities, he will bring these advantages to the fore to support the organisation’s onward progression.”
A career in travel, bolstering Japanese tourism
Beginning his career with Saga Holidays as UK contracts manager in the early 80s following a degree in economics and politics, Andrew went on to roles managing UK inbound Japanese tourism during the 90s boom era, including eight years at Nippon Travel Agency and seven years at Trafalgar Tours as the company’s Japan division lead.
Most recently, Andrew was a director of Jactravel’s groups division with full responsibility for the organisation’s contracting and operations. Until February 2024, Andrew served as a board member at UKinbound.
As a result of this experience, Andrew has worked very closely throughout his career with the UK’s operators, wholesalers, and suppliers to the coach tourism industry.
He said: “I’m very keen to use the background I have, working with coach operators and stakeholders in the sector, to support the CTA’s existing and growing membership through the current challenges, and to help guide the membership to take advantage of the opportunities to come.”
CTA members can meet new CEO Andrew Guthrie at the CTA Spring Networking event, taking place in Cardiff, on 9th-11th May, which also features the organisation’s AGM.
“I’m very keen to use the background I have, working with coach operators and stakeholders in the sector, to support the CTA’s existing and growing membership.”
Andrew Guthrie, CEO, Coach Tourism Association
About the Coach Tourism Association
The Coach Tourism Association was set up more than 30 years ago to bring the coach tourism industry together and to promote travel and tourism by coach.
Today the CTA has a membership of around 300, nearly half of whom are coach tour operators and tour wholesalers. The other half of the membership is made up of industry supporters who are part of the coach tourism package – they include hotel groups, DMOs / tourist boards, visitor attractions, ticket agencies and ferry operators, as well as professional advisers and B2B companies.
For more information about the Coach Tourism Association, go to coachtourismassociation.co.uk
