A Hays Travel branch manager has been recruited by Southend airport to raise its trade engagement.
Sarah Martin, manager at Hays Travel Southend, joins the airport in January as its first trade and events manager.
She will lead in organising and hosting B2B meetings, airport visits, Fam trips and events.
Martin started her career with First Choice/Intatravel in 1996 and has worked for branches of Co-Operative Travel, Thomas Cook and Hays Travel.
Airport business development director Nigel Mayes said: “London Southend has never engaged with the local travel trade, so creating this position demonstrates our commitment in building and developing a new relationship between airport and agent.
“With the rise of new vertically integrated tour operators like easyJet holidays, there has been a resurgence of holidaymakers’ need for their friendly, ‘on the high street’ travel agent.
“It’s a brand-new way to tap into our 8.2 million catchment across east London, Essex, Southend City and the wider East Anglia region.”
Martin added: “Having spent all my working career in and around travel agents, it was a very hard decision to leave Hays Travel behind, but my new role will mean still working with friends and colleagues from the travel trade community that I love.
“I can’t wait to get out on the road in January and make new relationships, as well as helping to organise all the exciting B2B and B2C events London Southend has planned in 2025 and beyond to incentivise selling our 17 destinations on sale now.”