PARIS, January 2013 – euromic, celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year, began 2013 with its Annual General Meeting, earlier this January in Paris, France, the birth place of the Association. The gathering allowed for members to reconnect and reflect upon the past 40 years and resulted in the election of a new President and Board of Directors.
Founded in 1973 in Paris by ten agencies, euromic has since grown to 36 member and World Affiliate destination management companies. Throughout its four decades the Association has experienced many milestone events and accomplishments, including early adoption of new technology, pioneering marketing activities, and the incorporation of incentive destinations outside of euromic’s geographical focus. Members have also had to contend with many of the historical happenings that have affected the travel industry, such as the oil crises of the 1970s, the introduction of the Euro, the events of 9/11, the 2010 Icelandic volcanic eruption over Northern Europe and the recent Arab Spring movement.
A major development in euromic‘s history was the creation of the term “Destination Management Company” or “DMC.” euromic‘s Tom Risbecker of Risbecker International in Sweden was one of the first to coin the term in an effort to differentiate the services his company provided – local knowledge, creativity and logical expertise – from those of ground service operators. Soon after, the phrase caught on and the pioneers of the industry had all assumed the terminology.
“We’re proud of our history and the progress we’ve achieved, and we also are thankful to those who have helped us get to where we are today,” says Mr. Karim El Minabawy, President of euromic. “Our Association’s longevity is due to the established nature of our members and World Affiliates and the excellent support we provide to one another.”
Mr. El Minabawy, President of longstanding euromic member Emeco Travel of Egypt, was elected President of the Association and will work with the also newly appointed Board of Directors on behalf of the membership. Mr. El Minabawy assumes the presidency from Mr. Giancarlo Carrera of SM Travel in Switzerland, one of the euromic founders.
“Our utmost thanks go to Giancarlo Carrera for his ten gracious years of service as President,” says Mr. El Minabawy. “It’s an honor to take on this position and I look forward to serving the Association as we move into our 40th Anniversary year and beyond.”
