Carol Dray and Debbie Marshall join Ramble Worldwide board

Walking holiday specialist Ramble Worldwide is expanding its board with two new non-executive directors: Carol Dray and Debbie Marshall.

 

The appointment of the two experienced industry executives follows the announcement earlier this year of plans to build closer trade relationships and support agent sales through training and commercial agreements with the Advantage Travel Partnership, Hays Travel and Aito, The Specialist Travel Association.

 

Both passionate walkers, Dray and Marshall will help drive the new direction of the business, while ensuring “immersing in nature, responsible travel and philanthropy” remain at the heart of the company’s operations.

 

Dray has more than three decades of experience, specialising in sales, marketing, commercial and digital transformation.

 

Holding senior positions within the travel and tourism, sports, arts, and culture sectors, she has worked with major global travel brands, including Avis, British Airways, Flight Centre, Lastminute.com, Thomas Cook, Visit Britain/Visit England and The Travel Corporation.

 

She is now running her own consultancy, working with organisations across digital, commercial and business strategy, alongside developing her non-executive director portfolio.

 

Dray is a past chair, and now fellow of the Institute of Travel & Tourism, a past board member of UKinbound, and has joined the advisory board of Women in Travel CIC. 

 

Marshall has more than 35 years’ industry experience, including 14 years in the silver sector.

 

Previous roles have included taking the helm at Crystal Holidays, CV Villas and Ski Verbier; founding Silver Travel Advisor; and establishing the Silver Marketing Association. She is passionate about ethical and responsible marketing to older consumers.

 

In 2024, Marshall was awarded the Association of Women Travel Executives’ Outstanding Achievement Award.

 

Ramble Worldwide aims to broaden its customer base from primarily retirees to a new genre of walkers, including mid-life professionals seeking to connect with nature and other like-minded explorers.

 

A new range of adventurous weekend walks and four new India tours have recently been launched, with more new product announcements due in the new year.

 

Wayne Perks, managing director, said: “Carol’s extensive transformative sales and marketing experience and Debbie’s deep understanding and success in the active silvers market provide a powerful combination to help Ramble Worldwide further its position as a leading walking holiday specialist, while ensuring our charitable and ethical values shine through in our offering.”

 

The company has seen  a 15% year-on-year increase in client numbers and now offers more than 300 guided small group and self-guided tours across 40 countries.