Lastminute.com director of travel John Bevan and former Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) president Steven Freudmann of Majestic Travel have been added to the board of ABTA. A third appointment will also be made as the board is slimmed down to a total of nine directors instead of 18 after a vote to change ABTA's board structure was passed in April. The pair will join the board on September 12 and are due to serve for two years.
John Bevan of Lastminute.com said: "I will help ABTA grow its representation with online companies and believe that having lastminute.com on the board will increase ABTA's lobbying power. I have spent 20 years working in the travel industry, viewing the industry both as a member and non-member of ABTA. I'm a great believer in ABTA, and feel the experience and knowledge of both lastminute.com and myself could be of great benefit to ABTA and the whole travel industry."
Freudmann added: "I promise to protect the interests of the small independent agent. ABTA needs to influence Government, enforce its powerful code of conduct, encourage training, raise standards, be responsive to the market place and accountable to members. ABTA needs to be strong and visible."
