28 January Farewell to Travel legend and Life Member Ossie Pitts AM RD January 28, 2025 By Amanda Rixon Media Release 0 The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) acknowledges the passing of Travel legend and Life Member Ossie Pitts AM RD, a long-serving President of the organisation and former Chair of the Travel Compensation Fund. Ossie served on the organisation’s Board for 13 years, including six years as President (1969–71 and 1984–86). He represented AFTA on the board of the world body of travel agents (UFTAA) over an 8-year term and became President for two separate years. He worked tirelessly for the industry, and in 1987, he became Chair of a new government body, the Travel Compensation Fund, administering to 3,500 travel agents. In 1988, he was awarded an AM for his services to the Travel Industry. After a distinguished career at sea, Ossie started working for his then father-in-law at Butler Air Transport in 1956, which was taken over by Reg Ansett in 1968. Ossie founded Mercury Travel and worked across several agencies, before finishing his career with Travels World at Crows Nest in Sydney, retiring at the age of 85. Ossie passed away at the age of 101 years old on 10 January 2025. QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO ATIA CHAIR CHRISTIAN HUNTER: “Ossie Pitts was a visionary leader whose contributions to travel nationally and internationally were both transformational and enduring. His tireless dedication to ensuring professionalism, integrity and consumer protection continues to resonate within the Australian Travel Industry today.” “On behalf of ATIA and the entire travel community, we extend our deepest sympathies to Ossie’s family and friends.” Related Articles Travel has a new home – the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) The Australian Travel Industry has a new peak industry body representing travel agents and advisors, tour operators, consolidators and wholesalers replacing the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) effective today. Claiming tax deductions for travel businesses: webinar reminder for ATAS members One of the many benefits of ATAS accreditation is ongoing education for participating travel professionals, and next Tuesday’s webinar will welcome a guest presenter from the ATO to explain claiming tax deductions for small businesses. AFTA’s Women in Travel Summit now sold out Tickets to the highly anticipated Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) Women in Travel Summit (March 13) have now sold out. ATIA members asked to raise awareness ATIA members are being asked to help raise awareness with clients on two key areas — Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and New Zealand Traveller Declaration. NTIA Most Outstanding Travel Journalist Award With all the Finalists for the travel and trade categories now announced, the spotlight shifts to the next phase of the National Travel Industry Awards (NTIA) — recognition of Australia’s Most Outstanding Travel Journalist NTIA Finalists for Most Outstanding Travel Journalist published Finalists for the Most Outstanding Travel Journalist Award have been announced as part of the 2024 National Travel Industry Awards (NTIA). Showing 0 Comment