UK specialist Great Little Breaks has recruited Sam Lynch as a trade sales support executive to help the operator’s agency sales continue to grow.
Lynch has previously worked for Super Break and Newmarket Holidays, and joins from Newport-based travel agency La Vida Travel.
Her appointment comes after the launch of Great Little Breaks’ booking system for agents, which enables the trade to book packages such as domestic theatre and city breaks.
Lynch will work with Chris Cundall, director of trade relations, who also worked at Super Break, which went into administration in August 2019.
More:Great Little Breaks aims to fill void left by demise of Super Break
“She joined us at Super Break three months before the administration – she was phenomenal,” said Cundall.
Lynch’s support role will see her develop the operator’s social media channels, such as Instagram, to attract younger agents.
“She fits the new role perfectly and it allows me to get out and see agents face to face,” said Cundall.
“Her appointment is the first step; ultimately we want a team on the road.
“It was such a tough time from December to May, with no departures, but it is nice to see we’re getting support from agents, and I thank agents for their support.”
Great Little Breaks’ trade booking system was trialled in May with 10 agents from Advantage Travel Partnership, The Travel Network Group and Hays Travel.
That soft launch enabled glitches to be ironed out and the system was opened up to the rest of the trade at the end of June.
Now 1,000 agents have signed up and more than 1,000 passengers have booked.
Great Little Breaks has also trained agents, both online and in person at their branches.
Cundall said he trained the Hays Travel staff in the South Shields branch over the course of one morning and, within a week, they had made 10 bookings.
He said the packages offer clients “fab value” as the operator has sealed good rates with rail operators and hoteliers.
“Hotels in London are missing their inbound travellers from the Far East and US, and business travellers, so they are relying on UK leisure travel,” he said.
Clients have been booking with short lead-in times but are now looking further ahead to city breaks for this autumn and winter – especially as many do not want the added worry of overseas travel, Cundall added.
Lynch said: “I’m really looking forward to my new role as travel trade support executive. I’m so ready for my new chapter with Great little Breaks. It’s the start of something new and I can’t wait to be a part of this exciting journey.”