20 JAN 2017: The Association of Tour Operators of Quebec (ATOQ) has announced the appointment of Eric Johnston as the general manager. Johnston will be responsible for moving forward the major priorities of the organization in areas relating to both commercial activity and governmental affairs.

Major issues include modifications to the Consumer Protection Act and the Travel Agents Act, the obligations of the tour operator towards the credit card processors as well as the evolution of the business relationship between the tour operators and travel agencies.

One of the top priorities for ATOQ continues to be the reduction of fraud and it is working closely with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as well as the Association of Canadian Travel Agents (ACTA) to find solutions and ways of cooperating in order to reduce the losses to fraud in the Canadian market.

Eric Johnston founded Alio in 1981, a company which was a leading consolidator and tour operator offering airline tickets, hotels, cruises, transfers and tours to travel agents across Canada. He sold Alio in 2014 and retired from the company in 2016.

Through the years at Alio, Johnston gained key experience in areas of sales, marketing, technology and finance therefore providing him with a uniquely intimate understanding of the operations and needs of the members of the ATOQ.

As a member of the Executive Committee of the ATOQ for the last three years, Johnston has also developed a solid understanding of the issues facing the organization.