Derek Moore Obituary, Co-founder of Explore World Wide and long-time chair of AITO has died – Death
Derek Moore Obituary, Death – Derek Moore, a former chairman of Aito and a co-founder of Explore Worldwide, passed away recently. The information was communicated to the members of the Specialist Travel Association (Aito) via a message that was sent out on Monday morning. Bharat Gadhoke, who is in charge of commercial affairs for the organization, stated, “This has come as an incredible shock.” Not so long ago, he attended the conference that Aito held in Braga, Portugal. He was the common thread that connected all of Aito, and Aito’s blood ran through his veins.
“He truly was a legend, and he maintained a high level of professionalism and extensive knowledge all the time — he was the one you turned to,” Moore, the 77-year-old deputy chairman of Aito, had been a member of The Specialist Travel Association (Aito) for close to 20 years at the time of his passing. After serving as chairman of Aito for 14 years, he then became the organization’s deputy chairman. He established the touring operator Explore in 1981, and in more recent years he established The Derek Moore Foundation. At the age of 75, he penned a book about his life and profession.
Moore had been undergoing treatment for cancer for a number of years, yet he continued to show up for events. This morning, Aito chairman Chris Rowles and executive director Martyn Sumners informed members of the organization via email that Derek Moore, Aito’s deputy chair, had passed away. Rowles and Sumners wrote: “It is with great sadness that I have to announce the passing of Aito deputy chair Derek Moore.” “Derek had not been in good health for some time, but he pushed on, participating in as many Aito events as he could and being actively involved with Council and the strategic review.”
It went on to say that “the word legend is used too often, but as far as specialized travel is concerned, Derek was most definitely a legend.” [Citation needed] Because of everything he’s done for the tourism business, we all owe him a significant amount of gratitude. During this trying time, our thoughts and prayers are with [husband’s wife] Amelia and the boys. RIP Derek.” Noel Josephides, who has been a director of Aito since 1988 and was once the chairman of Abta, collaborated with Moore on important industry matters for several decades.
He made the statement that Derek was an outstanding frontman for Aito. He had a wonderful way with words, the capacity to understand a problem in a very short amount of time, and a tremendous depth of knowledge about the sector, including, of course, the requirements for establishing and managing a highly successful independent specialist company. “He was a pioneer in every meaning of the word, back in the days when tour running was all about having fun and not being governed by accountants. His good advice, as well as his wry sense of humor, will be sorely missed by all of us. Aito stated that there had been a deluge of communications from members paying tribute to Moore. Many of these comments included accounts of how Moore had played a role in the development of the members’ careers in the travel industry.
He began his career as a geography teacher but then turned to work as a tour guide. He spent a number of years as a truck driver for the tour operator Penn Overland to India before establishing Explore with Travers Cox. The association stated that receiving a call from his wife Amelia this morning was a “great shock,” and they added, “Our thoughts are large with her and their children, of course.” Sumners explained, “Despite the fact that I’ve worked with Derek intermittently for over 20 years, I never cease picking up new things from him.” He had a great talent for making a powerful argument in an erudite way, and he was more than ready to share his knowledge and expertise anytime you needed help. He had a wonderful ability to make a point in an erudite way.
“He loved Aiot with such a passion that he wanted to be completely involved as much as possible, participating on a number of subcommittees in addition to taking his responsibilities as both an officer and as a council member extremely seriously. “Rest in peace, my friend – you will be missed tremendously not only by myself and the Aito family but also by the entirety of the specialized travel sector.”