Travel communications expert Debbie Hindle has joined Responsible Travel as a non-executive director.
Hindle, formerly chief executive of travel at Four Communications, has been appointed in the wake of a change in leadership at the activist holiday company.
She described Responsible Travel as an “absolute pioneer”, adding: “It challenges and questions both itself and others to deliver tourism which takes responsibility for its actions, supporting communities reducing carbon and preserving nature.”
More: Responsible Travel founder takes new role as joint managing directors appointed
Responsible Travel said Hindle’s appointment aligns with the company’s “long-term sustainable growth strategy” as well as founder and chief executive Justin Francis’ move to the position of executive chair.
Hindle stepped down from her role at Four Agency at the beginning of the year to focus on purpose-driven roles. She is also a volunteer for the non-profit Working With Cancer and a special advisor to the new Inclusive Travel Forum.
Francis said Responsible Travel was looking forward to hearing Hindle’s “strategic insights”.
“She helped us to launch the business 20 years ago and has been a staunch supporter ever since,” he added.
Hindle hailed Responsible Travel’s “strong recovery” since the pandemic and said she would do “everything I can” to support the business.
Earlier this month, operations director Richard Skinner and customer director Tim Williamson became joint managing directors overseeing the daily running of the company.
Last year it produced its first major impact report and rolled out a carbon label option to its 479 global tour operator and accommodation members. The company now offers nearly 900 carbon-labelled holidays on its site.
In total it offers almost 6,000 trips across more than 180 countries from 479 specialist travel partners.
Photo: Debbie Hindle and Justin Francis