Lisa Simon will step down as president of NTA, the travel industry association formerly known as the National Tour Association, citing personal reasons. Simon told TravelPulse her decision was simply based on her feeling that "It's time for a change."
Simon has been president of NTA for seven years and has worked for the association for 28 years. She took over the leadership position in 2007, one year before the world financial crisis.
"I have been with NTA for most of my professional career and during that time, we have seen an incredible amount of growth and change," Simon said. "I believe this is the right time for me to find new challenges and the right time for new leadership to take the association into its next phase of growth."
Simon presided over NTA through a period of many changes, helping to lead it into a greater focus on niche markets as the way for tour operators to succeed in an increasingly challenging business environment.
During Simon's tenure NTA took on the role of helping the Chinese government manage its newly emerging outbound travel industry by providing safe ways for Chinese to travel into the U.S. as tourists.
She led the organization as it developed mechanisms to more effectively target niche markets such as religious travel and travel for the Hispanic market.
Simon managed NTA through its change to self management in 2011. She also presided over the creation of the partnership with the United Motorcoach Association that enabled the two associations to hold their annual conventions together.
Simon says she does not know what she will do next professionally. After taking some time for reflection she will probably work again in the travel industry.
"I've had some opportunities in the last few years that I have ignored," she said. "Not to say that I will take one of those offers, but I think it's time to start listening. I'll take a little time to clear my head, then get back into where I go next. I'm actually excited. It's going to be a total change."
NTA has begun a process for finding a replacement, but it may take months to find a suitable successor, according to an NTA spokesman. Catherine Prather will serve as interim president during the search process.
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