Industry mourns passing of Bob Whitley

Posted: Mon 17 May, 2010 12:00 AM

PATA announces with much regret the death of Bob Whitley, the long-serving and highly dedicated president of USTOA – the United States Tour Operators Association. He was 66.

Bob Whitley’s distinguished career in tourism spanned more than 40 years in private sector and government positions. His association with USTOA dates back to 1978 and during his tenure it became the leading association of its kind in the travel industry.

"PATA mourns the death of Bob Whitley, longtime leader of USTOA, friend and member of PATA," said Greg Duffell, PATA CEO.

"We are deeply saddened to hear of Bob’s sudden passing," said PATA Americas Regional Directors Barbara Bryant and Kathleen Tripptree.  "We will miss his leadership, friendship and, most of all, his perpetual smile and good humour.  This is a huge loss to our industry, both here and abroad."

Bob Whitley received numerous marketing awards for travel promotion and served on the Boards of many travel industry associations. For seven consecutive years he was recognised by a leading trade magazine as one of the travel industry’s 25 most influential executives and was named in 1996, 1997 and 1999 as the Person of the Year for Travel Industry Associations by Travel Agent Magazine. In 2008 the members of USTOA honoured him for 30 years of outstanding service, leadership and dedication to the organisation.

Before joining USTOA, Bob Whitley held positions as director of the Florida Department of Tourism, director of the Pennsylvania Department of Tourism and director of the Virginia Beach Convention and Tourist Bureau.

USTOA Chairman John Stachnik said, "Bob was an inveterate traveller who served as a goodwill ambassador throughout the world. He was the driving force behind USTOA’s success and he will be solely missed."

Arthur Tauck, Chairman of Tauck, said, "Bob was a best friend.  He was a person filled with life and spread his friendship and humour to everyone he touched worldwide. We will sorely miss his presence and his penchant for connecting people from all over our business."

Bob is survived by his wife Carol of 44 years, three children and five grandchildren.

Memorial services will be announced at a later date and posted on www.ustoa.com. Contributions in Bob Whitley’s name may be made to Tourism Cares - an association he helped found and was dear to his heart.

More details at: www.tourismcares.org

-ENDS-

Issued by PATA Corporate Communications, Bangkok.

More details: dale@pata.org OR communications@pata.org

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