First Class Holidays has created 16 agent-facing roles as it targets significant sales growth over the next 12 months.
The specialist operator has already taken on 10 destination experts – for Canada, the US, South Africa, Australasia and islands in the Caribbean, Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean – and hopes to have the remaining six positions filled by the end of the year in time for the peak sales period.
Nine of the new recruits will work in reservations at the Manchester-based business, increasing the size of the team from 13 to 22. The remaining seven new roles are in other sales positions, increasing the team from 41 to 57.
Managing director Dan Gathercole said the operator was targeting sales growth of 28% in the next year, with the new roles focused on boosting bookings and improving the service offered to agents.
“We will be in a position to get to agents quicker and with exceptional service levels,” he said.
“Our focus has and always will be on agents. Trade sales make up pretty much all of our revenue”.
First Class Holidays has also promoted some of its existing team, including travel specialist Ali Hampton, who has been appointed product manager for Australasia; graphic design and marketing co-ordinator Jess Gorton, now brand manager; and marketing executive Maria Garcia, now marketing manager.
Other staff, including Jo Glick, Keir Ashley and Karen Davies, have been promoted to senior roles in the reservations team, while former head of national sales Katie Daniels has rejoined after departing less than a year ago.
The company has also set up a South Africa and Islands team. Lauren Brink, who is from South Africa and worked for South African cycling specialist Tour d’Afrique for nearly 14 years, has been taken on, with further additions likely.
Gathercole said: “I am so pleased with how the team is shaping up. We already have a great team who have been with the business a while, but we have added some varied experience and some great personalities.”
The operator plans to take all staff on a two-day trip to Marbella in December as a reward for their hard work this year.