Richard Tobias is to step down as director general of the Tourism Alliance at the end of the year.

He was appointed to the position last year after having served as deputy chair to Digby Jones – also director general of the CBI – who is now the alliance’s president.

Tobias was the first person to hold the position of director general of the alliance.

“It has been an exciting challenge to be part of the formation of the Tourism Alliance and to have helped establish it as the link between the tourism industry and government,” he said.

“That objective has been successfully achieved and it is now time for me to seek new opportunities.”

The Tourism Alliance consists of over 50 member trade associations, together with public and voluntary sector bodies and as well as lobbying government and other authorities, provides a forum for discussion on all issues facing the tourism industry.

Chair of the management board of the Alliance, Bob Cotton – also chief executive of the British Hospitality Association (BHA) – said a successor would be announced in due course. Details: www.tourismalliance.com