River cruise and escorted tours specialist APT is increasing its UK sales presence with the addition of two new staff members.
Denise Rice (left) has taken the role of business development manager, responsible for the south east of England.
Her appointment increases the size of its on-the-road team to four people. She joins from a similar position at Cyplon Holidays.
Bianca Venn – who previously worked for the company in Australia – has relocated to the UK to become inside sales executive, based at APT’s Amersham headquarters.
She will provide in-house support to the operator’s trade partners to help them develop their APT business.
Angela Waite, head of sales and commercial at APT, said: “It’s great that we have been able to add the experience of Denise and Bianca to our sales team and I am sure they will be real assets to the business to support our UK sales growth plans.
“Denise spent five years as a store manager for Kuoni and really understands the retail environment and what type of assistance agents need to be successful.
“Bianca already knows the APT business inside out and obviously has huge knowledge of Australia. She will add extra insight and help support the team out on the road.
“Both river cruising and touring are growth areas in travel and these two appointments demonstrate how APT is gearing up to meet the demand. Clients of all ages are switching on to tours as a fantastic way to explore destinations and maximise their time away on holiday.”
Rice and Venn will report to national sales manager, Jessica Shelton-Agar.