Marano was previously executive vice-president of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and also led the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) in the US.

“2020 has been a difficult time for the whole industry but it has sharpened the Travel Foundation’s resolve, and I believe we are now more relevant than ever,” said Marano, who has been a trustee of the Travel Foundation since July 2019.

“The Travel Foundation should be the charity of choice for anyone looking to support destinations in their recovery.

“We have a strong executive team, and we are well placed to support tourism to build back better, to help businesses and destinations strengthen localised supply chains and focus on optimising tourism’s social impacts as visitors return.”

The Travel Foundation is also planning to make changes to its board of trustees to create “greater representation from destinations, and a more international and diverse feel”.

Josephides, who will remain a trustee of the global charity, added: “Helen begins a new and exciting era for the Travel Foundation, which will work with the industry and destinations to build back with a new model of managed growth and new measures of success.

“We will be a vital catalyst with our practical approach and global leadership, to help usher in the necessary change.”