Trending Travel, the agency and operator specialising in social media influencer marketing, has recruited Richard Hey from Abercrombie & Kent to help grow the new business.
Hey (pictured, left, with founder Keith Herman) joined the Travel Network Group member on Tuesday, having previously held roles with Lux Resorts, If Only and Bedsonline.
He said: “I’m really excited to be on board with Keith, Sophie Foster and the team at Trending Travel. They’ve created a unique route to market and have a vision that I think is unmatched by any other travel company.”
Trending Travel launched in June to sell holidays off the back of social media posts, and last week struck a deal with an Australian influencer, a clothing brand and Hard Rock Hotels to launch the UK’s largest ever holiday competition on Instagram.
Followers have the chance to win a £45,000 holiday to The Maldives, and the company said it had created 45,000 new followers and 250,000 comments.
Hey said: “I’ve been blown away by the incredible social media following that’s been achieved in lockdown – already becoming one of the most followed travel companies on Instagram.
“I’m really keen to hear from airlines, hoteliers, tourist boards and any other industry partners that are looking to use our targeted approach to grow their businesses, in partnership with our huge social media audience.”