Premier Holidays expands on-the-road sales team with three appointments

Premier Holidays is creating a new and expanded on-the-road sales team to work more closely with travel agents on a regional level following staff changes at the tour operator.

The move sees the appointment of three new business development managers covering three distinct regions. In the past, the operator had two BDMS, one for the South and a BDM covering the north of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Hayley Smith joins from Serenity Holidays, taking on the role of BDM for the South; Louisa Smith, previously at Blue Diamond Resorts, joins as BDM for the East; and Rachel Small becomes BDM for the West, after working for MSC Cruises.

The new three-territory BDM structure follows the announcement sales and business development manager Rachel Wood is leaving at the end of April after 14 months with the company, and the departure of BDM for the South Nicky Bird in December last year. Bird is now head of trade sales at Holiday Best.

Wood, who joins Fred Holidays in May as BDM for the Midlands, is currently working alongside sales and marketing director Debbie Goffin to help the transition to the brand new team.

The company said she had made a “significant impact”, particularly in supporting agents in the north, and her dedication and expertise would be “greatly missed”.

Under the new set-up of three dedicated BDMs covering separate regions, the operator aims to give more targeted and personalised support to trade partners.

This forms part of the operator’s ambition to increase trade sales through closer, more effective collaboration with agents.

Goffin said: “This new trade team is all about supporting our agent partners and keeping Premier Holidays top of mind for the Channel Islands and our long-haul tailor-made destinations.

“We have always been 100% committed to the trade, and we are now taking this commitment one step further with this new team.

“I am absolutely delighted to be working with such an incredibly talented group of professionals who bring with them experience and expert knowledge from across the travel sector – all of which will enhance our trade support offering.”

Hayley Smith brings more than 20 years to the role of BDM South. As well as Serenity, she has worked for Carnival UK and P&O Cruises. The company said she has a “proven track record in managing national accounts”, adding her “strategic insight into trade partnerships make her an ideal fit” for the business.

Louisa Smith, the new BDM for the East, has a strong background in luxury and resort sales from previous roles at Blue Diamond Resorts, Hidden Doorways, and JA Resorts and Hotels. Premier said her “expertise in high-end travel and strategic approach to account management” would strengthen relationships with key partners in the region.

As BDM for the West, Rachel Small already has “extensive experience in sales, account management, and trade relations” to help the operator grow its footprint in the region. Her career includes roles at MSC Cruises, Virgin Atlantic Airways, and Marriott Hotels & Resorts.