Pioneer of package holiday tourism puts his retirement on hold

One of the leading pioneers of package holiday tourism in the UK, David Crossland, yesterday put his retirement on hold following two recent profit warnings and a sharp slump in the MyTravel (Airtours) group's share price. Crossland, who just a few years ago told the Bulletin that one of the crowning moments of his career was watching his four cruise ships in the port of Palma, has now put his planned retirement this November on hold. Directors will now report to him until there is a replacement for chief executive Tim Byrne. The company said yesterday that Byrne's departure came “by mutual consent”, but “with regret”. Mr Byrne took over as chief executive of MyTravel, formerly called Airtours, two years ago.