Travelbag names new MD following ‘leadership transition’
Travelbag head of marketing Nicola Richardson has been named the agency's new managing director "following a leadership transition". Travelbag confirmed Richardson's promotion in a post to LinkedIn. Richardson has 10 years of travel industry experience, including more than five with Travelbag, which is owned by dnata Travel Group UK. "I am thrilled to have Nicola step into this role," said dnata Travel Group UK chief executive Lesley Rollo. "She is well positioned to lead Travelbag. Her deep understanding of our business combined with her proven track record, makes her the ideal leader to guide Travelbag’s strategic priorities, growth and success." Richardson's promotion comes just six months after former Mark Warner marketing director was named as Travelbag's MD. TTG has approached Travelbag for more information on the leadership transition.
Villa sector chief switches specialists to head up trade push
SPL Villas managing director Edward Frampton-Fell has joined rival Top Villas as its general manager of tour operations as the specialist seeks to "drive forward its presence in the UK market", including with the trade. Frampton-Fell brings 20 years of travel industry experience to his new role, including 15 years in senior positions throughout the villa sector with SPL, James Villas, Oliver's Travels and Edge Retreats. He said he foresaw "incredible potential" for the business to make "a significant impact" on the villa rental market. Top Villas said Frampton-Fell's appointment marked "a key step in the company’s ambitious plans to expand its presence in the UK market and deepen relationships with trade and B2C partners", adding that as part of its strategic expansion, it was "extending a generous commission structure to travel agents who wish to partner with the company".
Lata hires BDM and fundraising expert
The Latin American Travel Association (Lata) has appointed Mitchell Hawes to a newly created business development manager role, aimed at growing membership and strengthening ties with existing members. Hawes is a former Norwegian Air head of sales, and brings further industry experience from roles with Aviareps, Air Seychelles and Gulf Air, as well as other membership organisations. Rachel Nicoll, meanwhile, becomes the Lata Foundation's first paid employee. She started her career in travel working in Cox & Kings' Latin America sales and product teams, and has also worked for luxury outfits ITC and cazenove+loyd. She joins from the Charities Aid Foundation. Lata chief executive Danny Callaghan said Hawes's knowledge and connections would be invaluable to Lata, adding the creation of a new fundraising role at the Lata Foundation represented "fantastic progression" for the previously fully volunteer-run organisation.
TTG 30 Under 30 alumni step up in new year
Two TTG 30 Under 30 alumni have stepped up to new, expanded roles in the new year. Karen Musgrave, who was a member of the TTG 30 Under 30 class of 2020/21, has been promoted to head of PR and communications at Barrhead Travel parent Internova Leisure following 10 years with the Scottish independent. The move sees her assume a like role with a wider range of Internova brands. Meanwhile, Chris Ion, a member of the TTG 30 Under 30 class of 2019, has been promoted from aviation development manager to head of aviation development at Newcastle International airport. Ion started his career in travel with Tui, and went on to intern with Newcastle before joining Jet2.com and Jet2holidays. He went on to hold posts with Qatar Airways and Doncaster Sheffield airport before rejoining Newcastle in October 2018. "Thank you to my team, [the] airport and wider industry colleagues who have supported me in my career to date and continue to make this a fun, exciting and rewarding industry to work in," he posted to LinkedIn.
Touring brands reveals agent advisory team members
G Touring brands Travelsphere and Just You have set up an agent advisory team to bridge the gap between the two operators and the trade. Agents will be able to share their feedback with the brands on trade engagement and preferred ways of working. The panel of 10 will meet in-person three times this year. They are: Claire Boyle, business development manager, Barrhead Travel; Darren Bien, head of sales and commercial, Designer Travel; Liam East, sales and operations director, Millington Travel; Laura Bigden, Premier Travel; Jodie Love, Travel Counsellors; Georgina Why, touring commercial manager, Hays Travel; Fiona Percy, senior commercial manager, The Travel Network Group; Caroline Thorne, head of travel, East of England Co-op Travel; Gina McRobbie, store manager, Love to Travel; and Tracy Clenshaw, head of commercial, Fred Olsen Travel. Rachel Mound (pictured), Travelsphere and Just You's head of trade sales, said "supercharging" the group's engagement was a key focus for 2025. "It's vital we work hand-in-hand with agents to maximise every opportunity. The expert advisory team will ensure we are keeping our fingers on the pulse and providing the support agents need.”
Groups specialist to increase support for agents in Scotland
Group holiday specialist Travel Department has appointed former Bedsonline key account manager Gemma Walker as its newest trade sales manager for Scotland. In her new role, Walker will be tasked with increasing the number of active agents while recruiting new partners and driving revenues from Travel Department's extensive portfolio. "Gemma’s extensive experience in the Escorted Tours sector will be invaluable to our objectives of widening the Travel Department brand footprint in Scotland and building on our successes to date," said chief executive James Coughlan. Prior to joining Travel Department, Walker held a variety of roles at the likes of Bedsoline, Newmarket Holidays, Jet2.com and Thomas Cook.
Change at the top at A-Rosa River Cruises as ex-Tui exec takes over
German river line A-Rosa River Cruises has named its new chief executive. Rolf-Dieter Maltzahn will take over from Jorg Eichler next month, with Eichler poised to leave the business. Maltzahn will work closely with chief operating officer and co-partner Markus Zoepke during a handover period. Maltzahn started his career in travel with Tui in 1989, where he held several management positions over a near-20 year period. He left to join Kuoni parent Der Touristik in 2008, heading up the group's hotel unit before taking assuming overall responsibility for tour operating. A-Rosa Group chair Michael Ungerer, who last year stood down as chief executive of MSC Cruises' luxury brand Explora Journeys, described Maltzahn as a "very experienced and innovative" leader with many years of diverse experience in the tourism sector, including in business strategy, digitalisation and transformation. "He will successfully lead A-Rosa River Cruises into the future," he added, while also thanking Eichler for his 11 years of service to the line. A-Rosa is still without a UK sales director following a restructure last year, which saw Michelle Daniels leave the business after just a few months. At the time, UK and Ireland managing director Lucia Rowe said 2024 had been a "more challenging year" than expected, necessitating a change of structure, albeit while stressing the line's ongoing commitment to the UK travel trade.
