John McEwan biography

John McEwan,
Chief Executive, Advantage

John McEwan has over 40 years experience in the travel industry including UK and Global roles. Since joining the travel industry in a retail agency at the age of 17, John has worked for major travel brands in Thomas Cook, Lunn Poly and currently, Advantage Travel Centres.

During his early years in Thomas Cook, John’s roles stretched from agency and regional management both in the UK as well as the USA, culminating in his appointment as Senior Vice President. John returned to the UK to become Retail Director before being appointed as Managing Director of Thomas Cook Travel UK. John oversaw a significant expansion of the business, culminating in a doubling in size of the retail network, the launch of Thomas Cook Direct and major expansion of foreign exchange into airports and HSBC. During this period, John also introduced the famous strap line, ‘Don’t just book it, Thomas Cook it’.

John was then appointed Managing Director of Thomas Cook International, a global role spanning over 50 countries with travel and foreign exchange outlets worldwide as well as a major financial services business.

In 2000, John then moved on to join the Thomson Travel Group as Strategic Development Director before becoming Managing Director of Lunn Poly, then the UK’s largest travel retailer. During this period he led the transformation of the financial performance of the business by introducing foreign exchange and also dramatically improving productivity. He was subsequently appointed as Retail Director of TUI UK.

In September 2004, John became the Chief Executive of Advantage, the UK’s largest consortium of travel agents, a role he currently occupies. As CEO of Advantage, John has successfully led the process of turning Advantage into a profit-making organisation, has been instrumental in increasing the organisation’s standing as the UK’s most respected independent travel consortium, with the highest level of member engagement since the organisation was formed 30 years ago.

John has served on the ABTA board and currently chairs the Travel and Tourism National Diploma programme, which is being introduced for 14-19 year olds.

In June 2009, John was voted Chairman of ABTA.