AITO Deputy Chair Derek Moore has died, the organisation has announced.

The 77-year-old had been suffering from cancer.

AITO Chairman Chris Rowles confirmed news of Derek’s death in a message to members, saying: “It is with great sadness that I have to announce the passing of AITO Deputy Chair Derek Moore.

“Derek had not been well for a while, however he battled on, attending as many AITO events and being fully involved with Council and the Strategic Review.

“Derek, a founder member of Explore, had been heavily involved with AITO for nearly 20 years of which he was Chairman for 13 of those.

“The word legend is too often used, but as far as specialist travel is concerned, Derek was most definitely a legend. We all owe him a great deal for his contribution to the travel industry.

“Our best wishes are with Amelia and the boys at this difficult time.”

Derek co-founded Explore Worldwide in the 1980s and was a founding member of the Derek Moore Foundation, which works with smaller, grass-roots community based projects around the world.