Former agent Claire King has joined Hays Travel’s in-house tour operator Vista from Seaworld.
She takes up the new role of trade engagement partner for the south region, working alongside Ross Fagan whose focus will shift to the north. They will both share the central division.
King will visit agents in branches, deliver training and attend conferences.
She was with Kuoni for many years before Seaworld after previously progressed through the ranks with Tui from sales consultant to branch manager.
King said: “I’m really pleased to have joined Vista at such an exciting time in its growth. Having worked as both a travel agent and tour operator I understand the pressure to please customers and the significant role tour operators have in understanding what agents need to meet customers’ expectations.
“I can already see that Vista is strong on long-haul, cruise, and complex bookings – which is exactly what customers are looking for from agents, with the growth we are seeing in cruise and multi-destination holidays to faraway places.
“That’s exactly where Vista can step in, with expertise on the end of the phone to reassure customers and help agents to confirm those bookings.”
Head of Vista sales Kathleen Molloy added: “I am delighted to welcome Claire King to Vista as trade engagement partner. Claire brings with her a wealth of travel knowledge from her roles with Seaworld, Kuoni, and Tui.
“Adding Claire to our team supports our growth plans and having her based in the south will really help us to meet our engagement objectives with agents across the country.”