Former Universal, British Airways and Charitable Travel partnerships specialist Alison Nicholls has ‘crossed the floor’ to become an agent with Travel Counsellors.
Nicholls’ new business officially launches on Friday (May 24) following a two-week induction.
In a travel career spanning 38 years, Nicholls spent two spells at British Airways, including as corporate relationship manager, and was at Universal for eight years, including seven as EMEA sales & marketing manager for Universal Hollywood.
Most recently, she was head of partnerships for Charitable Travel.
Nicholls said her move to become a travel agent allowed her to go “back to her roots”, having honed her selling skills during two seasons as a rep in the Balearics.
She added: “I have met so many Travel Counsellors over the last 30 years since they launched, on various fam trips and at events, and have been lucky enough to attend several of their conferences as a supplier.
“The sense of community is second to none and the level of professionalism was evident to me from all my chats. Having visited the HQ and seen the investment that has been made in the tech and support staff, I knew it would be the best for me and my new business.”
Nicholls said her new business would not have a specific product or destination focus, though she hopes to capitalise on her passion for the Caribbean, California and South America, as well as industry contacts at tourist boards, DMOs and DMCs.
She also praised the process of joining Travel Counsellors and said seven agents who had joined her in the induction process had become “friends for life”.