Long-established Indian DMC sets up UK and Europe office

Family-owned Indian destination management company (DMC) Creative Travel is expanding into the UK.

Lee Ballard has been recruited to head the New Delhli-based firm’s UK and Europe office.

He will manage sales and commercial activity from Europe into the group’s operational countries of India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet.

Ballard was previously UK and Ireland general manager for the Vietnam-based Thien Minh Group (TMG) and worked for SLC Representation for almost seven years.

Creative Travel, one of South Asia’s oldest family-owned DMCs, has been operating since 1977 and is member of luxury consortia such as Virtuoso and Serandipians.

Joint managing director Rohit Kohli said: “We have always believed in being close to our partners. With our new UK and Europe office, we aim to offer more personalised support and deepen our relationships in these important markets. 

“Lee’s expertise, network, and understanding of the region will be invaluable in bringing the best of India and the subcontinent to discerning travellers from the UK and Europe.”

Ballard added: “There is immense potential to showcase India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Tibet, and the Maldives as world-class destinations for leisure, luxury and incentive travel. 

“My focus will be on strengthening our partnerships, developing tailored programmes and ensuring that our clients in the UK and Europe experience Creative Travel’s hallmark of quality and creativity.”