The balance of its funds, expected to be about £18,000, will be donated to the Abta LifeLine charity. At its height, the society had about 70 members and hosted a programme of social activities including overseas and UK trips, a pre-Christmas lunch and an AGM.
It counted among its members agents and tour operators, as well as Abta National Training Board staff and professionals from the wider industry working with Abta.
At a farewell event in London, Abtarians chair Christine Blocksidge, a former Abta board member and ex-TTG columnist, said: “The association won’t be forgotten, and we will make this occasion a happy and memorable one. The travel industry has contributed to a lot of happiness in the world, and we have a lot to be proud of."
The society’s membership declined steadily during the 2010s due to its mainly over-60s age profile and a change in Abta’s structure abolishing separate councils for agents and tour operators, and most of its national and regional committees.
All activities were suspended during Covid restrictions, and after polling members about what events they might support in future, a decision was made to wind up the society.
Many eminent people have been members over the years, including former Abta chief executives Michael Elton and the late Ian Reynolds.
Other former secretariat members who have taken part include Mary Cooke, Claude Mistely, Keith Betton and Diana Hanks, while Abta council chair members have included Ken Franklin, ex-Horizon, the late Roland Castro (Time Off), and John Bond, who is still chair of Jetset.
The society was the idea of travel agent Cliff Jones, the first chair of the retail council, who turns 90 next year and sent his apologies at last week’s event.
“The demise of anyone or anything inevitably brings with it a touch of sadness, but for me it will be doubly so, since health problems will prevent me from physically sharing in this necessary collective finality,” he wrote.
“However, like all endings, there is always the stimulation of memories and I have many wonderful ones. All will long live in my memory and believe me, I’m smiling as I write.”
Pictured raising a glass to the society at its farewell event are committee members (L-R): Alex McLeman, ex-National Training Board; Doug Chapman, ex-British Rail; Christine Blocksidge, ex-Taylor Travel; and Michael Austin, ex-Cosmos.
