The Greek Island specialist is hiring a trade marketing manager and three trade support executives to join its current UK-based team, headed up by Janet Parton, vice-president of business development.
The new appointments will report into Anna Gregori, vice-president of brand and customer journey, and UK country manager Jo Reid, respectively.
Chief commercial officer Lee Haslett told TTG: “We’re going to grow out our trade support function. We need to make sure we’re offering agents the right support.
“We’re going to invest in a dedicated trade marketing team to give agents and tour operators the best marketing support.”
The line has confirmed it will launch a new dedicated trade portal in mid-December.
The portal will be accessed via Celestyal’s website and will feature trade marketing materials, campaign details and incentive information.
In 2024, Celestyal’s revamped agent training platform – Celestyal Stars – will also be added to the portal.
“We highlight our rewards on Celestyal Stars,” Haslett said. “We want to challenge the status quo.”
To complete the investment, a dedicated trade support phone line will go live ahead of the upcoming wave season.
Parton added: “Agent partners are critical to the success of the business. It’s vital that alongside the fleet refresh, and investment into the customer offering, we also invest in trade support, so agents can capitalise on the wealth of opportunities we have available.
“With the team doubling in size, new agent resources and a dedicated phone number, we’ll be better placed than ever before to support the travel trade.”
It comes after Celestyal added Croatia, Montenegro and Italy to its 2024 programme after temporarily pulling its popular Three Continents itinerary due to the Hamas-Israel conflict.
