Travel Up, Bookable Holidays and Holiday Genie parent group, Travel Up Group (TUG), has appointed British Airways’ UK and Ireland sales manager as head of corporate and aviation.
Bob Dowdell, who will take up his role on February 1, worked as corporate sales manager and regional sales manager at British Airways before his most recent 15-year position.
Prior to his time at the airline Dowdell was corporate travel manager for American Express.
Chief executive of TUG, Ali Shah, said: “Bob brings with him so much experience and knowledge and I am very excited that he has made the decision to leave such an establish company such as British Airways to take on a new and exciting challenge with TUG.
“It is evident from Bob’s previous track record for forging exceptional relationships, driving consumer-focused strategies and developing new business that he will be an exceptional attribution to the current team.
“This year has seen a large amount of development and change within TUG and all for the better. I am confident that we are building an outstanding team that will drive the company forward in 2016 and for many years to come.”
Dowdell said: “I am very excited to be joining the Travel Up Group at a time when it is clearly consolidating its position as a leading online travel company.
“My key focus will be on expanding our footprint in the corporate travel space as well as strategically expanding and deepening our relationships with the world’s leading airlines”.
Dowdell is the latest addition to the Travel Up Group team. Recently the group has also recruited Bruce Taylor as group aviation manager, who was aviation manager at Emerald Global for 15 years.
Johnathan Poole, previously hotel supply manager for the Low Cost Travel Group, has also joined the group.
TUG said 2016 will see further development of the package holiday side of the group and an “enhanced corporate business focus”.