Danks was previously head of marketing and direct sales at Avis and has had previous roles with South African Airways, Star Alliance, British Airways and The Times. He will be based in ATTA’s new West London office.
ATTA said: “Jon has held numerous senior leadership positions at multinational membership organisations, with over 40 years travelling the continent of Africa.
“Well known to the Africa media, buyer, agent, and operator audience, he brings experience in public affairs connected across the continent’s high commissions and tourism agencies.”
Danks and the ATTA team will be at Indaba in Durban next week (8-11 May) and at We Are Africa in Cape Town from 15-18 May.
Following his appointment, Chris Mears will continue as chief executive of Experience Africa Events, ATTA’s wholly owned events subsidiary.