Linda, Kuoni confirmed to TTG, passed away suddenly during a business trip to the Maldives last week.

After joining the business as a graduate trainee, Linda went on to devote her 30-year career in travel to Kuoni.

She became a central part of the operator’s purchasing team, looking after some of the company’s most important commercial partnerships in Kuoni’s key destinations such as Sri Lanka and the Maldives “with skill and professionalism”.

Wendy Kenneally, Kuoni’s director of commercial and operations, said: “Linda touched the lives of many people in Dorking and overseas during her time with us and will be greatly missed.

“Linda had a particular love for the Maldives and Sri Lanka, and had built many personal friendships through her work in the UK and overseas over the years.

“Our thoughts are with Linda’s family and we will continue to stay in touch and support them in the coming weeks.”

Kuoni is inviting anyone who knew Linda to contribute their stories, messages and pictures to the book of memories.