Brentford-based Kew Bridge Travel, luxury villa specialist CV Villas and representation company Purple Umbrella joined the association following a vote.

All will be working alongside Pata UK & Ireland chairman, Chris Crampton, and fellow committee members to shape Pata’s strategy for the year ahead.

Crampton said Kew Bridge Travel’s firsthand experience on the frontline "will bring a new perspective to our agent outreach and help us continue to grow our travel agent network".

"We are thrilled  to welcome new committee members to the organisation, and the timing couldn’t be better in the recovery of the industry - their wealth of experience will enrich our approach, and output," he added.

"Kew Bridge Travel is particularly exciting as we have never had a travel agent as a committee member before."

John Coles, managing director of Kew Bridge Travel, said he was "honoured" to be the first travel agent committee member.