The Travel Corporation’s Hayley Van Der Steen and Avis Budget Group’s Sophie Nelson join HX as trade partnership managers, while Megan Lewis joins as inside sales executive from The Travel Network Group having spent a number of years with Royal Caribbean.

Van Der Steen brings 20 years’ experience in the travel and hospitality sector, including business development roles and onboard experience as a senior officer.

Nelson, who recently joined The Institute of Travel & Tourism’s board of directors, has experience in driving revenue and managing relationships with major partners across the UK and European markets and was named in TTG’s 30 Under 30 in 2020-21.

As trade partnership managers, HX said Van Der Steen and Nelson would support agents “with everything from commercial and marketing, to system integration, product knowledge and training” with a focus on ensuring agents are equipped to boost their expedition cruise business through the line.

Lewis’s appointment will bring extra support for partners and she will be tasked with facilitating incentives, ship visits and fams.

Nathaniel Sherborne, HX’s vice-president of sales and marketing UK and Nordics, said: “The expansion of our team is a pivotal moment for us at HX, marking a long-term investment in strengthening our partnerships with the travel trade.

“Our travel agent partners are an integral part of our business, and we are unwavering in our commitment to them. Whether that be through training, marketing assistance or in-depth product education, we will be supporting them with the tools they need to promote HX and expand their expedition cruise business.

“We welcome Hayley, Sophie and Megan, and are excited to have three seasoned professionals with extensive experience at market-leading brands join us, and solely focus on supporting our trade partners.”