Stuba has appointed two new Business Development Managers (BDMs) in South Australia and Victoria, marking a significant step in the accommodation supplier’s regional expansion and trade support strategy.
The appointments come at a time when many suppliers are re-investing in face-to-face trade engagement, with a growing emphasis on regional support and tailored agent training as in-person events and in-office visits continue to rebound post-pandemic.
Stuba is a global accommodation platform that works exclusively with travel agents. In Australia, the brand has steadily increased its local footprint, offering agents access to over 116,000 properties worldwide through a simplified booking engine tailored for trade professionals.
Who’s who: Stuba’s new faces in the field
Michelle Riel joins as BDM for Victoria, bringing years of experience across leisure, home-based, corporate, and travel tech sectors. She previously served as Business Manager at My Travel Group, part of Helloworld, and more recently as Account Manager at ATPI.
In her new role, Michelle will focus on strengthening relationships with agents across metropolitan and regional Victoria, delivering product updates, and facilitating training sessions tailored to agency needs.
Alison Thomas takes on the BDM role for South Australia. With a 30-year career spanning hotels, trade wholesale, airlines, and travel agencies, Alison brings a strong network of local and national agent relationships.
Alison’s appointment is aimed at increasing Stuba’s visibility in South Australia, supporting agents with tailored solutions and ensuring timely access to trade tools and education.
Both appointments aim to boost Stuba’s on-the-ground presence and direct engagement with agents in key states.
Stuba’s biggest Aussie sales team to date
With the addition of Michelle and Alison, Stuba now has its largest sales team in Australia.
“These appointments mark an exciting new chapter for Stuba Australia,” said Rebecca Day, Regional Head of Sales at Stuba.
“With Alison and Michelle on board, we now have our biggest sales team ever — a clear demonstration of our ongoing commitment to the trade.
“We’re investing in people, partnerships, and regional support like never before. I’m genuinely excited about what’s ahead as we take Stuba to the next level.”
What agents need to know
Stuba says agents in South Australia and Victoria can now expect more personalised support, including training, product insight, and sales assistance.
Stuba’s local BDMs can assist agents with troubleshooting, navigating the platform’s search tools, and staying updated on the latest rate changes and destination availability. Regular in-office visits and webinars are also part of the support offering.
Agents can reach out directly:
- Michelle Riel (VIC)
M: 03 8779 8694
E: michelle.riel@stuba.com - Alison Thomas (SA)
M: 03 8779 8629
E: alison.thomas@stuba.com
KARRYON UNPACKS: For travel advisors in VIC and SA, these hires mean quicker access to product support and a stronger trade connection. With an expanded onshore team, Stuba is clearly betting on closer agent relationships to grow its presence in Australia. Expect more training, more contact, and more regional engagement.
