Mike Foster, president of Nexion Travel Group Canada, is stepping down at the end of the year, according to a press release that was issued Monday (Sept. 16). 

“This is perhaps the best time for me to step down from this role,” said Foster, who is based in London, ON. “I do so with nothing but pride in the work that I have been a part of, and confidence in a company that I know is on the path to a very bright future. My colleagues are truly the best in the industry.”

Hired in 1981 to open a travel agency, he eventually became its owner. The agency was then acquired by Nexion Travel Group and re-named Nexion Travel Group-Canada.

Foster led the team that built one of the region’s largest agencies serving leisure, corporate, group and incentive travel, as well as independent contractor agencies. Nexion Travel Group-Canada began serving independent contractor agents in Canada in 2013.

Foster has been a long-standing board member of both the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies and Travel Advisors (ACTA) and the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO).

“Working with Mike has been a privilege,” said Jackie Friedman, president of Nexion Travel Group, in a statement. “Over his long career, he has helped hundreds of people start their own travel businesses, making our company and our industry stronger and more diverse. He has played a tremendous role in the continued growth and success of Nexion Travel Group-Canada. We are all indebted to him for his outstanding leadership.”