G Adventures has added a Nottingham-based ‘global purpose specialist’ to its sales team due to an “increase in demand” from agents in the Midlands.
Joe Swatland will take on responsibility for travel agents in the region and is the operator’s first global purpose specialist to be based there since 2019.
Swatland started his career at STA Travel and has also held roles at The Adventure People, The Savoy and Disney Cruise Lines.
Last year, G Adventures restructured its UK sales team and said it would begin recruitment for a position with “a new regional scope” to “better serve” agents.
Stu Darnley, G Adventures national sales manager, said: “Joe is a hugely driven individual with a passion for travel that’s seen him live, work and travel in dozens of countries.
“Alongside his high target setting and record sales, he has shown huge interest and success in supporting and training individuals in previous positions, and all of these attributes making him the perfect fit for our new GPS role.”
He added: “Covering the East and West Midlands – including key counties such Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Nottinghamshire and Northamptonshire – Joe will be spending a lot of his time in-person with agents, sharing his passion for travel and all things G Adventures’, including Planeterra and Trees for Days.
“He’ll offer support in marketing, product and sales and will meet the demand we are seeing from agents to increase their knowledge face-to-face.”
Swatland said: “I’ve always been curious about other cultures and I also love to explore new places and learn from the people I meet there.
“Being part of an organisation that does so much in the way of community tourism is so exciting for me.
“I have sold G Adventures tours for a number of years and I can’t wait to share my knowledge and enthusiasm with agents across the region in this role.”