Aito chair Chris Rowles described Merriman’s appointment to the post at the Department for Transport "the perfect role" for the former chair of parliament’s transport select committee.
"He simply ‘gets’ travel, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and the huge challenges we’ve faced over the past several years," said Rowles.
"He’s taken the time to attend Aito meetings and has seen members of Aito, both specialist travel agents and specialist tour operators, near despair at their struggle to keep their businesses going and their staff employed after decades of hard work."
