Bruce Beckham, executive director and chief executive officer of Tourism Cares, has announced his retirement, effective June 30, 2013. In the upcoming months, Beckham will work with the Tourism Cares Executive Committee and Board to provide a seamless transition. A search is underway for a successor.
Under Beckham’s direction, Tourism Cares emerged as a highly regarded, award-winning non-profit in the travel and tourism industry. Beckham actively developed mergers and partnerships: Tourism Cares is now the official philanthropy of respected associations - USTOA, NTA, ASTA, RSAA and IATAN.
Under Beckham’s leadership, Tourism Cares reports it has brought more than 3,500 tourism industry volunteers to more than 20 iconic sites across the U.S. for restoration projects and created the first ever Global Outreach educational and preservation program in Cusco, Peru.
In addition, more than $500,000 in scholarships have been awarded to students studying travel and tourism and more than $2 million in grants have been given to tourism related sites in 42 states and 31 countries.
Beckham's performance also earned accolades from major tour operators.
Dan Sullivan, president of Collette Vacations and the chairman of Tourism Cares said, “Bruce’s leadership has mobilized the travel industry to recognize the need for conservation and preservation of our treasured sites and the education of our future workforce. In particular, the restoration projects that he and his dynamic team have organized, starting at Ellis Island in 2003 and continuing across the country over the last 10 years have broadened the organization’s support throughout the entire industry."
In reflecting on the announcement, Arthur C. Tauck, Jr. chairman of Tauck, Inc, chairman emeritus and a founder of Tourism Cares said, “We in the industry thank him for all he has accomplished and wish him well.”
John Stachnik, co-owner of Mayflower Tours and Tourism Cares board member added, "Bruce has been the heart and soul of Tourism Cares. He may be retiring as its executive director, but I can assure you he is not retiring from his role as conscience and champion of the organization."
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