Tom Jenkins
Tom Jenkins is the Executive Director of the European Tour Operators
Association (ETOA), which represents tour operators and their suppliers
at European level. It promotes greater awareness of the benefits
provided by the group travel industry and influences European tourism
policy and legislation.
Under Tom’s stewardship, ETOA’s scope of activities
have broadened considerably, close relationships have been built
with numerous legislators and other trade bodies and membership
has more than doubled to the point where the Association now represents
the interest of 8 million inbound tourists.
He has been responsible for championing tourist access to historic
cities, for initiating a Europe-wide coach safety code and for leading
a campaign that successfully blocked changes to EU VAT legislation
that would have jeopardised 5,000 tourism jobs in Europe.
Tom is a ‘Tourism Expert’, often called upon by a variety
of media including GM TV, BBC TV, CNN, CNBC & Radios 4 & 5.
Before taking the reins at ETOA, Tom held a number of management
positions at American, Express, ultimately being responsible for
all aspects of the company’s inbound leisure travel for scheduled
tours, independent vacations and customised itineraries. There,
he launched a fully integrated computerised booking system, he developed
the first interactive CD-Rom brochure and he managed a corps of
350 tour managers operating throughout Europe.
Prior to joining American Express, Tom was a Director of Equinox
Travel and before that he spent 5 years as a tour manager working
for American Express and Thomas Cook.
Tom graduated from Bristol University with a BA in English &
History. Following this he embarked on two years post-graduate research
at London University’s Courtauld Institute. He is married
with two children.