Frank Oostdam has decided to step down as director of the ANVR as of 1 July. As of that date, the board of the ANVR has appointed Frank Radstake, currently deputy director, as the new director of the trade association. Walter Schut will stay on as deputy director. This was announced by the ANVR on Tuesday. “The board of the ANVR fully understands Frank Oostdam’s decision, but finds it extremely regrettable that he has decided to quit as director of the trade association,” said Arjan Kers, chairman of the ANVR. ‘Frank’s departure marks the end of an impressive era’. According to him, Oostdam has contributed like no other in recent years to the professionalization of the travel industry in general and the trade association in particular. After the earlier transition from a federative association to a general association, Oostdam has worked hard over the past 17 years on the transformation of the ANVR into the modern association that ANVR is today. As a foreman of the travel sector, Oostdam was the face to the outside world. Especially during the unbelievably difficult corona period for the travel sector. ‘He worked tirelessly 24/7 like a real diplomat to defend the interests of the travel companies. Both in The Hague among politicians and civil servants, as well as on radio and TV’, Kers emphasizes. ‘In doing so, he has created a lot of goodwill and results for travel and the travel sector. And let’s not forget that for more than 8 years he fulfilled the dual role of director and chairman in a more than excellent way.’ Oostdam: ‘After much deliberation, I have decided to quit as director of the ANVR. Although I am happy to feel completely fit again, I have noticed that I have become more in need of a better work-life balance. Since for Oostdam ‘taking it easy’ is not entirely in his system, and the ANVR of course deserves a director who is 100 percent committed, he says. Especially now that the sector is completely back to its old level and transcends it, he thinks it’s a good time to do other things. ‘By the way, I will be standing for re-election in June for a second term as chairman of our European umbrella organisation ECTAA and in this way hopefully I will still be connected to the travel sector and the ANVR, and I really enjoy that.’
Successor Arjan Kers: ‘We are pleased that the board of the ANVR has now been able to appoint Frank Radstake as Frank Oostdam’s successor, as of 1 July’. In recent years, he has worked with Oostdam, the team, and the board of the ANVR on topics that are important to the travel sector, such as sustainability, innovation, legal affairs and the labor market. The board is fully convinced that with the new director they can continue to sail a stable course in a challenging period for the travel industry. It is clear that in 2024, the Dutch will be more wanderlust than ever before. That is why the ANVR wants to ensure, as a sector, that travellers will continue to receive the most beautiful and best travel experiences in the future. Both business and leisure travelers. 
Photo: Frank Radstake. ‘Over the past 14 years, I have enjoyed working with Frank Oostdam,’ says Frank Radstake. ‘On a personal level, I think it’s a real shame that he has decided to stop. At the same time, I am also very proud and grateful that both he and the rest of the board have given me the confidence to start working as his successor. Fortunately, we have a very experienced and excellently functioning team at the ANVR – both in the office and in the board – with whom we will continue to work.’ The coming months will be used to look for new colleagues so that the team is back to full strength on 1 July. Until then, Frank Oostdam is still involved and accessible at the ANVR as a director. It would be good for the ANVR, the Dutch travel industry and ECTAA if he could continue to chair the European umbrella organisation for a second term of second year. The ANVR wants to focus fully on this in the coming months.
