After 5½ years as Chief Executive Stephen Dowd has announced his decision to leave UKinbound on the 31 August 2008. Stephen Dowd said: “It has been a great honour to lead UKinbound during a period of significant change and development for both the association and the industry. This was a difficult decision but with the imminent completion of the modernisation and restructuring programme I feel this was the right time for me to seek a new challenge. I firmly believe that the changes that we have introduced at UKinbound will provide a lasting and secure basis from which the association can move forward and enhance its standing as the focal point for export tourism in the UK.”

Philip Green, UKinbound Chairman said “Stephen has guided the association through an extensive, and sometimes difficult, transformation and has worked tirelessly in our members’ interests. He has helped shape UKinbound’s role in a fast changing industry and through his extensive advocacy work has raised the profile and understanding of inbound tourism in the UK.  We are grateful for his contribution to the association and over the next few months the Board of Directors and I will work closely with Stephen to recruit his replacement and ensure a smooth and orderly transition of responsibilities”