Premier Travel has appointed Rachel Brinkley to the newly created role of cruise business development manager to help the growth of sales in the sector.
The East Anglian chain said it is seeing growing interest from new and returning customers and influx of new cruise ships which has “highlighted the need for a dedicated expert to steer the company’s cruise strategy”.
Paul Waters, managing director, said: “Rachel’s extensive knowledge and expertise in the cruise industry will be instrumental in driving the company’s cruise strategy forward.
“She will work closely with cruise lines to create new opportunities, including educational sessions, ship visits, and other engagement activities that will enhance our team’s knowledge.
“With Rachel’s appointment, Premier Travel is poised to take the company’s cruise business to the next level.
“We look forward to the contributions she will make to our continued success and growth in this exciting market.”
Premier Travel said its post-pandemic growth – with new shops and managed branches, and more homeworkers – has expanded the company’s distribution capabilities, prompting more cruise lines to seek “closer collaboration”.
“The appointment of Rachel is a strategic step to capitalise on this momentum and foster further sales growth,” added the statement from Premier.
It added: “Rachel brings a wealth of experience from her time at Fred Olsen Travel, where she played a key role in building and maintaining strong supplier relationships.
“She earned a CMI Level 5 qualification in Management and Leadership and has significant experience in identifying areas for improvement and introducing strategies to enhance communication and marketing collaboration, as seen during her time at ROL Cruise.
Brinkley commented: “I am thrilled to be joining Premier Travel with this new opportunity. With the rapid growth of the cruise industry, I am eager to strengthen and grow our partnerships with cruise lines, adding even more value to the Premier Travel portfolio.
“The company’s vision and the prospects for the future make it an exciting place to be, and I look forward to contributing to our continued success.”
She takes up her new role on May 20.