In January, Frank Oostdam said he wanted to quit as director of the ANVR. It is a great honour that the board of the ANVR has decided to appoint me as his successor. With 17 years as director and (also long) chairman of the ANVR, there are generations who know nothing else than that Frank was the foreman of the travel sector. The fact that Kasteel Hoge Vuursche was even more filled for his farewell party than during the traditional New Year’s receptions says everything about how loved and appreciated Frank was by members, business partners and external relations. Seen in that light, it is only right that he continues to serve the sector as chairman of the European umbrella organisation ECTAA for the next two years. Over the past few months, I’ve been asked the same question endlessly: you’re probably going to do a lot differently? Very logical question of course, so the answer may be a bit disappointing. Not much is going to change at all. Firstly, because there is already an excellent course in place and secondly because such a new course must be the result of intensive cooperation between the secretariat, the board and the members of the ANVR. In the coming months, I will drink a lot of cups of coffee and listen to it to get a good idea of the wishes and expectations regarding the ANVR in the coming years. Of course, it doesn’t mean that I don’t have any ideas about which way we could go. We have plenty to do by further strengthening the secretariat of the ANVR, modernizing the ANVR as an association and further positioning the ANVR as an important sparring partner for policymakers. And in that respect: with a new government in the Netherlands, a new European Parliament and a new European Commission imminent, this is also the time to unequivocally bring the importance of outbound tourism and the travel sector to the attention of all parties. The final ideas and plans for the ANVR and travel sector for the coming years will be presented at the ANVR Congress (from 13 to 17 November) in Oman. Maybe not the most important, but an extra reason to want to be there. You can register via www.anvrcongres2024.nl. And finally: if you would like to think about the future of the ANVR, or perhaps already have clear ideas about it, send me a message: I would like to come and have a cup of coffee this summer. Frank Radstake Director ANVR fradstake@anvr.nl As director of the ANVR, Frank Radstake writes a monthly column for TravMagazine in which he shines his light on the (international) travel world. (Photo: TravMagazine).
