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Eric was also President of UFTAA [The United Federation of Travel Agents’ Associations] in the 1970s and held senior positions at both Thomas Cook and Olympic Holidays.

In addition to holding the ABTA presidency Eric was Chairman of the Tour Operators Council from 1981-1983 and in his time at UFTAA he was instrumental in getting IATA to raise airline commission from 8% to 9%.
After retiring Eric remained actively involved in the trade in the Thomas Cook retiree club and was known for his affable, sociable nature and was still travelling widely. 

John McEwan ABTA Chairman paid tribute: “I had the pleasure of knowing Eric for many years. We worked together at Thomas Cook, where he occupied a numbers of senior positions and made a great contribution to the development of the business. Eric was a leader in the industry and played a prominent role in the development of ABTA. Eric will be sorely missed and our thoughts are with his family”.

Sidney Perez ABTA elder statesman and friend of Eric’s for many years: “I first met Eric when we worked closely together at Thomas Cook in the 1970s. Over the next 20 years my wife and I became good friends with Eric and his wife Penny. Both of them are now gone and they will be greatly missed. Eric gave unrivalled service to ABTA and even later in life was an active and adventurous traveller.”

Eric Sutherland leaves behind a daughter Chiara.

For further information contact:
Sean Tipton, Senior Press Officer, tel: 020 3117 0513,
Frances Tuke, Public Relations Manager, tel: 020 3117 0514, Mobile 07850 712 325,
Out of Hours:  Contact the Duty Press Officer via pager: 07659 190 987
E-mail: press@abta.co.uk
Web: www.abta.com
 
Notes to Editors
ABTA – The Travel Association was founded in 1950 and currently has 1,351 members with 5,700 outlets. Members include travel agents, tour operators and support services right across the spectrum from small family-owned businesses to the largest tour operators. 

ABTA is the largest travel association in the UK and its members provide 90% of the foreign package holidays in the UK as well as selling millions of independent travel arrangements. 

In 2008 ABTA merged with the Federation of Tour Operators [FTO], thereby cementing its role as the leading travel association and increasing benefits for both ABTA and FTO members. Both the ABTA brand which is highly recognised by consumers and the FTO brand which is well known in destinations will be retained.

As part of its comprehensive package of services to members, ABTA, as a non-party political organisation works to represent the interests of its Members to government and key opinion formers in the UK and EU.