Qatar Airways has appointed Gary Harford as National Sales Manager – Leisure, adding travel trade and GDS expertise to its Australian commercial team as the airline continues to invest in leisure distribution.
Based in Sydney, Harford will report to Justin Kestel, Regional Manager for Australia and New Zealand. Together, the team will report to Jared Lee, Vice President of Sales for Southwest Pacific, Japan and Korea, who oversees Qatar Airways’ sales strategy across these markets.
Harford brings extensive industry experience and connections to the role, with a strong background across the travel trade and GDS sectors. He has held senior operational and commercial positions with Helloworld and Qantas Vacations for more than 11 years, developing a deep understanding of the evolving needs of the leisure travel market.
In 2009, Harford joined Travelport, where he progressed through a series of senior leadership roles. Most recently, he served as Senior Director, Commercial and Business Development, and as Site Leader of Travelport’s Sydney office.
Harford’s appointment further strengthens Qatar Airways’ commercial sales presence across Australia. Harford joins an established leadership team that includes Yen Kho, National Sales Manager, Corporate, who also reports to Kestel.
Qatar Airways says the team will oversee commercial sales strategy across the market, delivering enhanced support to trade partners and driving continued growth across both leisure and corporate segments.
Read our interview with Justin Kestel, Qatar Airways Regional Manager for Australia and New Zealand here.
