Sun Island Tours has appointed Walter Nand as Business Development Manager for New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, effective 23 September 2025 in Sydney. The company said this is its first dedicated BDM for the region in more than five years and follows feedback from its annual travel agent survey requesting more face-to-face engagement.
Walter Nand has more than 29 years of experience across Australia and Canada in wholesale, cruise and retail roles. His background includes business development and strategic partnerships with Avalon Waterways, MSC Cruises and APT, among other travel brands. For the past six years, Nand was General Manager and Co-Owner of Rediscover Travel Group.
“I’m excited to be back on the road, representing a company that is so well-established and respected within the travel industry,” Nand said.
Why NSW/ACT gets a dedicated BDM again
Sun Island Tours said the decision to reinstate a dedicated BDM in NSW and the ACT was a direct response to its yearly agent survey. According to the company, agents indicated a preference for in-person training and contact with supplier teams. The appointment aims to support that demand by adding dedicated on-the-ground coverage in two key states.
John Polyviou, Joint CEO of Sun Island Tours, said the company expects Nand’s network to add value for agent partners.
“We are thrilled to welcome Walter to the Sun Island Tours team,” he said.
“His longstanding relationships with Australian agents will be a huge asset to us.”
What the role will focus on
The BDM remit covers agency engagement across NSW and the ACT, with an emphasis on training and relationship management aligned to survey feedback.
With a portfolio that spans escorted tours, cruises and independent packages, Sun Island Tours relies on product and destination knowledge at the point of sale. The company said the new role is designed to make that knowledge easier to access through in-person visits and structured training.
For agents, a single point of contact for NSW and the ACT may streamline queries on complex itineraries, product updates and booking support. It also positions the brand to deliver targeted sessions on its Mediterranean and Middle East program during peaks and tactical campaigns. The appointment follows a period where coverage for the region was not assigned to a dedicated BDM.
What agents can expect next
Sun Island Tours indicated its BDM will prioritise agency visits and training formats that align with agent preferences. Nand’s long tenure in the market signals familiarity with trade events, store-level presentations and follow-up support across retail networks and independent advisors. His wholesale and cruise experience may also support multi-supplier itineraries that include combinations such as touring and small-ship cruising.
Agents in NSW and the ACT who have flagged a need for more face time with supplier teams can expect renewed in-person engagement as the role beds in. The company said the focus is on practical training, relationship building and clear lines of communication for frontline consultants and agency owners.
How this aligns with agent demand
Across the trade, supplier teams continue to report demand for in-person training on complex products and destination updates. Sun Island Tours’ survey response indicates this trend is front of mind for its agent base. In NSW and the ACT, the return of a dedicated BDM creates a clear pathway for store-level education and relationship support tied to booking windows and product changes.
Nand’s background in wholesale, cruise and retail settings aligns with a portfolio that requires cross-channel understanding. For consultants, that experience can help translate supplier updates into sellable itineraries and timely training sessions that reflect on-the-ground realities in stores.
Contact and next steps for trade
Agents seeking a store visit or training session can contact Sun Island Tours via its website or the listed phone and email contacts. The company said Nand will begin outreach to agency networks across NSW and the ACT in the initial weeks of the appointment to schedule meetings and understand training preferences. Details for media and trade contacts remain available through the Sydney office.
KARRYON UNPACKS: The industry is seeing increased demand for more training. Sun Island Tours’ NSW/ACT BDM reflects this trend with more visits and clearer support for consultants.
