Not Just Travel has appointed Holly Simmonds as cruise product manager.
Simmonds previously held the position of product manager at World Travel Holdings, working across its Cruise118, RiverVoyages.com and SixStarCruises brands, and has nine years experience in cruise roles.
She has been tasked with working with NJT’s trade partners and travel consultants to increase cruise sales as well as developing product training and marketing messages around cruise products.
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Simmonds said: “Having seen [NJT’s] plans for creating a new cruise division, it felt like an exciting time to join the company and build on their huge success.
“I’m excited about building the cruise portfolio, working closely with our cruise trade partners and building an ever-growing relationship to support both them and our travel consultants in selling.
“I’ll be able to share my expertise to help deliver growth in cruise sales but also working with individual business owners.
“With so many new cruise ships boasting innovative features and services, new cruise terminals and new ports of call every year, there are so many options for a cruise customer and the industry continues to grow at formidable speed each year.”
NJT co-founder Paul Harrison said: “Holly’s appointment is key at a time when the company is investing significantly in the cruise market and its cruise offering to both its consultants and key trade partners.
“Our cruise sales are up four-fold in the last five years but if we compare ourselves to 2019 we will be seeing more than 300% growth in sales this year.”
The homeworking firm is currently recruiting for the newly-created role of head of trade and cruise as it aims to create “synergy” within the departments.