Tom Randles, Managing Director of Barter’s Travelnet in Cork, is the new President of the Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA).
He was elected at the association’s AGM in Dublin yesterday.
Originally from Killarney and a qualified Chartered Accountant, Mr Randles joined Barter’s Travelnet in Cork as Financial Controller in 1996.
He was appointed Managing Director of the company in 2012 and completed a takeover of the company in March 2023 and became a Board Member of the ITAA that year also.
“I am honoured to have been nominated and accepted as the 24th president of the Irish Travel Agents Association. I step into this role with an enthusiasm and a deep respect for those who have come before me,” Mr Randles said at the AGM yesterday.
“The travel industry has undergone extraordinary change in recent years, from the growing focus on sustainability to groundbreaking advancements in technology and AI,” he said.
“The industry I joined is barely recognisable today -just as it was a completely different world when the association first raised its sails in the 1970s”, he said.
“As the industry changed its shape, so has the ITAA. We have embraced these changes, evolving into trusted advisors, industry experts, and problem solvers for our clients. In the process, we have also become strong advocates and educators for our members.
At the ITAA AGM Martin Skelly, Director of Navan Travel was elected Treasurer. Mr Skelly previously served as President of the ITAA.
Other appointments to the ITAA board were: Paul Hackett of Click&Go Holidays, Jeff Collins of Best4Travel, Caroline Quigley of Keith Prowse Ireland, Alan Lynch of Travel Escapes, Maura Fahy of Fahy Travel, Olivia McGeown of Centre Travel and Angela Walsh of FROSCH Ireland.
The ITAA represents Ireland’s travel Industry, bringing together over 100 travel agent members and 70 affiliate partners.
