AITO Press Releases

16-Oct-2024
AITO, the Specialist Travel Association (www.aito.com), confirms the winners of its 2023/24 Travel Writer of the Year awards, sponsored by Gran Canaria.

30-Sep-2024
AITO, the Specialist Travel Association, announces the shortlist for its AITO Travel Writer of the Year Awards 2024. The top three awards (Gold, Silver and Bronze) in each category will be announced at the annual AITO Meets the Media event taking place on the evening of Tuesday, 15 October, from 6-8.30pm at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel, South Kensington, London.

8-Aug-2024
Business Confidence Tracker results for the second quarter of 2024.

4-Jun-2024
AITO, The Specialist Travel Association, is pleased to announce that the 2024 AITO Travel
Writer of the Year (TWOTY) Awards are now open for entries. The closing date for submissions is 31 July 2024.

29-Apr-2024
This week saw AITO introducing two new recruits to members to a warm welcome at its Annual General Meeting.

29-Apr-2024
Highlights of the 2024 AGM on Thursday, 18th April 2024 in London.

16-Apr-2024
Launched at the Royal Geographic Society in London, the results of AITO’s Annual Travel Insights Survey for 2024 reveal encouraging data provided by analysis to questions posed to over 12,000 travellers.

16-Apr-2024
The results of the Travel Insights consumer survey of members conducted by AITO, The Specialist Travel Association in January 2024.

27-Feb-2024
AITO shares the further results of the January / February 2024 Business Confidence Tracker Survey and anticipated challenges faced by the specialist travel industry.

13-Feb-2024
Colin Murison Small was the tour operator who you’ve never heard of – but he’s also the man to whom all those operators you do know owe a huge debt of gratitude. He was a creator, an innovator, and a quiet but very effective driving force behind the travel industry that we have today.

12-Feb-2024
AITO shares the results of the January / February 2024 Business Confidence Tracker Survey, which present an overwhelmingly positive outlook for the specialist travel industry.

27-Jul-2021
As an association, AITO recognises that, in this changing world, it needs to listen, educate itself and continually improve and evolve in all areas of DEI, in order to progress as an association.

17-Aug-2020
AITO asks the Chancellor for sector specific help to survive the COVID crisis.

24-May-2019
From a road trip along Australia’s western coast, to climbing Kilimanjaro, and from a New Wonders of the World trip over 31 days to a 54-night trip across Latin America, this month’s round-up includes travel gems spanning Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas.
Travellers

24-May-2019
Here is a selection of new itineraries, member updates and exciting events this month, taking you into the spring and summer season.

20-Mar-2019
Family friendly holiday ideas from the specialist travel associations!

11-Mar-2019
AITO has announced the location of its overseas conference for 2019.

7-Feb-2019
From a spiritual journey in Laos and Cambodia to breathing in fresh mountain air in Austria, this month's round-up includes self-care and healthy living inspiration for a great start to 2019, including a retreat in Italy, visiting the land of happiness plus wellness and walking in Nepal.

7-Feb-2019
Holiday ideas this December include volcanoes, Antarctica, and the islands of Western Estonia!

15-Nov-2018
From searching for big cats in India to a winter wonderland in Norway's Arctic Wilderness, this month's round up includes the biggest and best new ideas for 2019, including driving a classic car around the colourful streets of Havana, exploring Plovdiv in Bulgaria - European Capital of Culture for 2019 - and Jeep driving along nail-biting roads in Northern Pakistan while exploring the Karakorum Highway.

13-Nov-2018
AITO has just taken on board a fleet of amazing new specialist members.

29-Oct-2018
Make the most of the snowy season with these unique winter experiences from travel specialist members of AITO.

25-Oct-2018
AITO has announced further speakers at its international conference (22 - 25 November) in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE.

22-Oct-2018
AITO today modifies its branding to reflect the changing dynamic of its membership and will now be known as The Specialist Travel Association.

22-Oct-2018
Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority has become AITOs Sustainable Tourism sponsor for 2018-19. In particular the two parties will work on AITOs Project PROTECT which is carried out in partnership with the University of Surrey.

18-Oct-2018
With an all-female first-place winners list, the AITO Travel Writer of the Year Awards 2018 concluded on Tuesday 16th March at the Radisson Blu. We can now announce the full list of winners here on AITO.com!

5-Oct-2018
A wide range of exciting new opportunities to run away with our members, taking part in what they do best: specialist travel.

5-Oct-2018
Take a little break from banality with some unique short breaks from the best in the business.

31-Jul-2018
Summer's cooling down, but AITO tour operators have a hot selection of holidays just waiting to be discovered.

28-Jun-2018
The midnight sun, rusting desert ships and ideas for Autumn - it's all possible in the latest AITO Inspirations.

22-Jun-2018
ENTRIES HAVE NOW CLOSED FOR 2018

The AITO Travel Writer of the Year accolade is the ultimate award for travel writers. Recognising excellence in the field of travel writing, this prestigious award is an impressive entry on any writer’s CV. Past winners include some of the most respected travel journalists in the industry and it’s always a hotly-contested.

4-Jun-2018
Find out who AITO's newest additions are.

9-Apr-2018
Here is a selection of new itineraries, member updates and exciting events taking place in 2018 and going into 2019.

28-Feb-2018
The Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO.com) hosted its AGM on Wednesday, 21 February 2018, at the Royal Over-Seas League in central London.

27-Feb-2018
Our AITO tour operators are adding some educational fun to half term with great offers on learning holidays.

31-Jan-2018
Our Tour Operators have some excellent holidays in 2018, and there are some exciting events around the world including a carnival in Tenerife, an artificial ski slope opening on top of a waste management centre in Copenhagen and some new cycling and walking trails in Portugal. Malta is also the place to be as tiny Valletta packs a punch as European Capital of Culture 2018.

15-Jan-2018
Maybe you made a resolution or maybe you just want a fresh start in 2018? Whatever the reason, be inspired by a healthy holiday from our AITO tour operators

9-Jan-2018
Happy New Year from all of us at AITO HQ. Here's the first Know It All round-up for 2018, getting you in the holiday spirit.

19-Dec-2017
We've got many treats in store for 2018 from exhilarating ice-driving in Iceland to hiking in Japan, and from a spectacular coastal jaunt along the Galician coast to a relaxing train journey through Spain’s Asturias region. Just take a look at what our tour operators have to offer.

6-Dec-2017
See the final AITO Know It All newsletter of 2017 for some fantastic trips and exciting news from AITO members.

3-Dec-2017
Be inspired by another AITO round-up of conservation and community holidays

15-Nov-2017
Get ready for some winter sun with another fantastic selection of getaways from our AITO members

1-Nov-2017
See our latest press release for AITO's statement on the investigation into hotel booking websites.

26-Oct-2017
See our latest newsletter for inspiring trips and exciting news from AITO members!

24-Oct-2017
Better late than never - congratulations to the 2017 AITO Travel Writer of the Year Award winners.

4-Oct-2017
Current legislation is out of date and does not protect the millions who nowadays book scheduled flights.

AITO, an alliance of specialist holiday companies established close to 42 years ago, in the wake of the Clarkson collapse, knows more than a little about the problems that the travel industry has encountered over the past four decades, from endless airline collapses to the recent Caribbean hurricanes and, of course, the infamous ash cloud.

24-Aug-2017
AITO has been discussing at length and in great detail (since March 2017), the thorny problem of the coming Payment Services Directive 2, in January 2018, and in particular its impact on travel agents who will no longer be able to charge clients in order to recover the cost of the banks’ credit card fees.

4-Aug-2017
After 41 years, AITO’s (www.aito.com) 120-plus specialist holiday companies continue to create innovative itineraries and wonderful travel experiences. Here is a selection of new tours and destinations on offer in 2017 and 2018, as well as exciting updates from AITO members.

24-Jul-2017
SME members of AITO (www.aito.com), the UK’s specialist holiday companies, lambasted Government ministers and HM Treasury and their claim, announced by a Gov.UK press release on 19 July 2017, that ‘Rip-off card charges will be consigned to history, after Ministers act to end these unfair fees for millions of people across the country’.

5-Jul-2017
Tantalise your taste buds with these gastronomic holiday ideas from specialist members of The Association of Independent Tour Operators (www.aito.com), all of which involve tasty tours, culinary lessons and, of course, delicious dishes from around the world.

2-Jun-2017
After 41 years, AITO’s (www.aito.com) 120-plus specialist holiday companies continue to create innovative itineraries and wonderful travel experiences for all to enjoy. Here is the June edition of new adventures, tours and destinations on offer in 2017 and 2018:

25-May-2017
The Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO, www.aito.com) is going short-haul
for its November 2017 conference (from Thursday 23rd to Sunday, 26th November). A little known gem, just a 2-hour flight from London...

8-May-2017
Become a creative traveller with these distinctive holiday ideas from members of The Association of Independent Tour Operators (www.aito.com), all of which involve A brush with the Arts.

11-Apr-2017
April Edition: new tours and news from AITO members. AITO (www.aito.com) turns 41 this year. Its 120-plus specialist holiday companies continue to innovate, and here is a selection of exciting new ideas, destinations and itineraries on offer in 2017 and 2018.

6-Apr-2017
Travellers seeking somewhere unusual to stay during their next holiday need look no further than these quirky ideas from members of The Association of Independent Tour Operators, all of which involve accommodation in some wonderfully charming and distinctive places.

Cosy up in a Norwegian wilderness cabin with your own team of huskies, take a romantic break in a hilltop windmill in Greece, or camp under the stars on the edge of the Grand Canyon – all trips come complete with unexpected and unusual features.

15-Mar-2017
AITO reports that it’s no fairytale… tour operators and travel agents alike will have to absorb all credit card charges with effect from January 2018.

3-Mar-2017
Rediscover the Algarve, off season and away from the crowds – from walking and cycling adventures to wellness, spa and cultural highlights, here is a selection of holidays to the Algarve from the AITO experts.

23-Feb-2017
The Association of Independent Tour Operators (www.aito.com) hosted its AGM yesterday (Wednesday, 22 February 2017) at the Royal Overseas League in London. The afternoon concluded with networking over lunch and the AITO member awards.

8-Feb-2017
AITO (www.aito.com) turns 41 this year. As its 120-plus specialist operators continue to innovate, here is a selection of exciting new programmes, destinations and itineraries on offer for 2017.

12-Jan-2017
AITO Agents and AITO operators gathered at the weekend (7 – 8 January 2017) for the AITO Specialist Travel Agents’ domestic conference - held for the second year at Jurys Inn Hinckley Island Hotel. With 170 delegates in attendance (90 agents, 61 tour operators and 19 affiliates), the conference programme included plentiful networking opportunities, business sessions and workshops, and also celebrated the achievements of AITO Agents, who were duly rewarded at the annual All Stars Awards Ceremony.

12-Jan-2017
Miss the festive cheer and fun activities of December now the party season is over? Bring your social calendar forward to the New Year by booking a group holiday in 2017. Group holidays continue to be a popular form of travel, whether it be on an expert-led escorted tour, joining pre-set itineraries with the family or party planning with friends.

25-Oct-2016
The Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO, www.aito.com) has announced the results of its 20th Travel Writer of the Year awards. This year saw the highest number of entries since the awards began in 1997, with 240 articles submitted, all of an exceptionally high standard.

14-Oct-2016
AITO, The Association of Independent Tour Operators (www.aito.com), is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. In celebration of this milestone, AITO has selected a list of exciting trips on which holiday makers can learn a new skill or try a new activity.

11-Oct-2016
This year’s AITO overseas conference will take place in Jordan (23 – 28 November 2016), offering AITO tour operators and AITO Specialist Travel Agents the opportunity to address the big issues currently affecting the travel sector.

28-Sep-2016
AITO (www.aito.com) is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. As its 120-plus specialist operators continue to innovate, here is a selection of exciting new programmes, destinations and itineraries on offer. AITO has also been nominated in the British Travel Awards’ ‘Best travel review/ratings website’ category.

19-Sep-2016
The Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO) has announced the short list for its prestigious annual AITO Travel Writer of the Year awards. The five award categories were shortlisted from a total of 240 entries, which is the highest number received since the awards started in 1997.

22-Aug-2016
The Association of Independent Tour Operators reached its big 4-0 this year. In celebration of this milestone, AITO has selected a list of trips which wanderlusters in their 40s and older would undoubtedly love to sample as part of their bucket list. Try out a range of exciting activities, from trekking the Druk Path in Bhutan to venturing off the tourist trail into Kyrgyzstan or exploring the Arctic frontiers in Svalbard

20-Jul-2016
The awards will be presented at this year’s AITO Meets the Media event, to be held between 3pm and 7pm on Tuesday 18 October 2016 at Central Hall, Westminster.

12-Jul-2016
The Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO), is delighted to announce Jordan as the setting for its 2016 overseas conference, the grand finale of AITO’s 40th anniversary year. It’s the first time that AITO has staged a conference in the country.

7-Jul-2016

The Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO) has today launched Project PROTECT in recognition of the important role that destinations play in the future of the travel industry. The PROTECT acronym stands for People / Resources / Outreach / Tourism / Environment / Conservation / Tomorrow.

28-Jun-2016
AITO (www.aito.com) is celebrating its 40th year in 2016. Its 120-plus specialist operators continue to innovate – they’ve always been ahead of the game! – as will be clear from the sparkling selection of new holiday ideas and itineraries below.

28-Jun-2016
So what does Brexit mean for the small and medium-sized specialists in AITO? We commissioned a survey the day after the vote and below are a few highlights - some statistics, plus comments from AITO members.

9-Mar-2016
The Association of Independent Tour Operators (www.aito.com) celebrated its 40th anniversary at a special dinner and awards presentation last night (Tuesday 23 February) in the dazzling Library & Reading Room of the Royal Horseguards Hotel, London.

5-Jan-2016
AITO introduces 6 new member tour operators in its 40th anniversary year

30-Nov-2015
The Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO) has announced the winners for its prestigious annual AITO Travel Writer of the Year awards.

27-Oct-2015
The Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO) today announces the short list for its prestigious annual AITO Travel Writer of the Year awards.

19-Oct-2015
AITO will stage a combined Operator and Travel Agents Conference for business owners from 24-27 November 2016 at a destination to be determined. Meanwhile registrations are open for AITO Operators and Agents for the Domestic Conference from 9-10 January 2016 at the Hinckley Island Hotel, Leicestershire.

11-Sep-2015
The award categories are AITO Travel Writer of the Year, Young Travel Writer of the Year and the Travel Blogger of the Year

4-Jun-2015
An Alphabetical Guide to 'Royal Germany' from the German National Tourist Office

4-Jun-2015
New 'Royal' Destinations from the German National Tourist Office UK and Ireland

22-Dec-2014
The Northern Spain specialist has some exciting news...

9-Dec-2014
New tours and announcements from AITO's members

19-Nov-2014
AITO has announced the results of its 18th Travel Writer of the Year awards. This year saw the highest number of entries ever, with 220 articles submitted, all of an exceptionally high standard. The categories were Travel Writer of the Year, Young Travel Writer of the Year and AITO Travel Blogger of the Year. The awards were presented at the AITO Meets the Media event held at Central Hall Westminster on 18 November

4-Sep-2014
Want to squeeze in a city break or short trip before Christmas, or to plan something for 2015 to look forward to? Choose from a range of ideas, from Christmas shopping in Turin, celebrating New Year in medieval Lucca or the Alentejo, or perhaps discovering Dresden, to mountain climbing in Poland, driving a classic car around Scotland, and much, much more . . .

25-Jul-2014
Last minute holidays from the members of AITO.

15-Jul-2014
Here are some of the best last-minute summer holidays available for July, August and beyond, with members of the Association of Independent Tour Operators

27-Jun-2014
New tours and announcements from AITO members

28-Apr-2014
AITO Turns 38 years old this year. It's 120-plus specialist operators continue to innovate, as will be clear from the selection of new programmes and itineraries.

3-Apr-2014
Want to truly escape the monotony of a daily routine and disappear to somewhere remote? Here are some unique out of reach holiday ideas from the members of AITO.

3-Mar-2014
New Tours and Announcements from AITO members

24-Feb-2014
Here are some of AITO's best adventure holidays

30-Dec-2013
Some of the greatest winter sun holidays available with AITO

21-Nov-2013
Next week’s conference will take place in Malta (28 November – 1 December, 2013), offering AITO tour operators the opportunity to address the biggest issues currently affecting the travel sector.

20-Nov-2013
AITO has announced the winners of the Travel Writer of the Year (TWOTY) awards.

13-Nov-2013
From brisk country walks to cruises through icebergs, to ice fishing, furry and feathery animal encounters and the magic of the Glacier Express and Santa's Grotto.

21-Oct-2013
AITO is delighted to welcome three new trade friendly tour operator members.

1-Oct-2013
New Tours and announcements from AITO members

3-Sep-2013
Take a look at the wild side of the AITO with these exciting animal-themed tours and holidays worldwide.

27-Aug-2013
AITO, the 125-strong Association of Independent Tour Operators, is the only travel trade organisation to report clear facts and figures from its members on the latest Department for Transport Call for Evidence regarding consumer financial protection in the UK.

16-Jul-2013
AITO has announced that it will be heading to Malta for it's 29th Overseas conference in late November.

8-Jul-2013
New tours and announcements from AITO members

18-Mar-2013
AITO welcomes the expansion of the ATOL scheme, with the introduction of “ATOL Plus” as a first step.