Luxury Travel Group, the parent company of Scott Dunn and Imagine Travel, has appointed Simon Lynch as sales director.
He will move from Abercrombie & Kent, where he has been since 2010, and takes up his role on June 24.
Lynch has worked in travel for 18 years and previously oversaw STA Travel’s Scandinavian business based in Stockholm.
The operator said his appointment “solidifies and strengthens the new senior management team”, led by chief executive Sonia Davies, along with chairman Simon McMurtrie, chief marketing officer André Rickerby, chief financial officer Robin Wooldridge and global product director John Taker.
The company is also changing its range of holidays to cater for different demands from travellers.
Ten destinations have been added to Scott Dunn’s portfolio in the past year, with several new destinations confirmed for 2019/20, including tailor-made itineraries and upmarket products in destinations such as Mongolia, northern Peru and Antarctica.
From the end of the 2019/20 winter season will cease operating Scott Dunn serviced chalets in the Alps and serviced villas in the Mediterranean, which has been less than 10% of revenue in the UK, but a lower proportion of profit.
Scott Dunn will still offer a ski portfolio with accommodation in Europe, North America and Japan.
The operator said: “The decision reflects the changing nature of travel to the Alps with hotels now offering greater flexibility and branded serviced apartments and chalets. It will also ensure Scott Dunn can meet the increased demand from its guests and loyal ski customer base, for a wider range of resorts and accommodation options, and increased flexibility.”
It added: “The diverse and experienced new team has been recruited to help take Scott Dunn to its next phase of growth and these appointments reflect the brand’s new commercial direction and global focus.
“It is investing in its leadership team as well as ensuring its product range and service is tailored to meet the demands of the modern-day traveller – from multi-generational families to solo explorers, couples to the LGBT market, sabbaticals and honeymoons.”
Davies joined Luxury Travel Group in January 2018 and was promoted to chief executive in November 2018.
McMurtrie joined in November 2018 and Rickerby joined in April 2019 from Moonpig.
Taker also joined in April 2019, with 30 years of experience at Virgin Holidays, Kuoni and Emirates/Dnata.
Wooldridge joined in January 2019 from Allocate Software, a leading provider of healthcare workforce deployment software.
More: Four senior team members leave Scott Dunn
