The Travel Corporation (TTC) has today announced details of a restructure of its International Tour Brands division, in a move the company says is created to make it easier for travel agency partners to do business with individual tour brands in Australia and New Zealand.
The newly combined Australia and New Zealand entity will serve as a single source for sales, marketing and operations of the individual brands (Trafalgar, Insight Vacations, Luxury Gold, Costsaver and Contiki) and will be led by newly appointed Managing Director Toni Ambler, who comes with a decade of tenure within TTC.
“I’m thrilled to be leading TTC Tour Brands Australia and New Zealand as we move beyond the pandemic and into a new era of travel,” said Ambler.
“The creation of this dynamic new team will enable TTC to better service our trade partners and customers, providing them with a portfolio of travel brands for every age, style and mindset of traveller.
“Never before has the ease and simplicity of guided touring been so sought after, and we look forward to working with all our partners to ensure our customer’s experience is the very best in touring.”
Well known TTC Sales Executive Andrew Young has been appointed to GM of Sales to lead twelve Sales Managers across the newly created region.
“This enhanced sales structure throughout Australia & New Zealand allows TTC Tour Brands to support travel agents more efficiently, with more spread across the combined region,” said Young.
“Our team is dedicated to getting our agency partners back on their feet after 2 years of challenges – and we know multi day coach touring will remain a highly considered category as the industry rebounds, and therefore a key driver to localised agency success.”
Joining Young is long-standing Insight Vacations and Luxury Gold Senior Sales Manager Tomas Malmberg whose role has been elevated to National Manager – TTC Tour Brands, Key Accounts and Development.
In this role, TTC says Tomas will focus on key consortia and agency networks, with an emphasis on those with a product mix dedicated to the luxury segment. In addition, Tomas will draw on his decade of experience with TTC in leading the training and development of the sales team.
A newly formed marketing centre of excellence has also been created to underpin the new multi-brand division.
Existing Head of Marketing for Trafalgar, Costsaver and Contiki, Anna Neville has been promoted to GM Marketing, TTC Tour Brands – and will now expand her remit across Insight Vacations and Luxury Gold.
Neville will lead three strategic focus areas with key marketing specialists from the group stepping into new leadership roles: Claire Haggerty as Head of Marketing and Partnerships, Jayesh Kesry as Head of Media and Communications, and Kate Tate as Head of Marketing Operations and Special Projects.
As part of the restructure, the current roles of Karen Deveson – Managing Director, and David Farrar – Head of Sales, for Insight Vacations and Luxury Gold, will no longer exist.
TTC said “Both have been a genuine help through the transition, and it is with sincere regret they will leave TTC in due course, having had distinguished careers with TTC.”
“I have loved the last 5.5 years at Insight Vacations. It is made up of an incredible team of people and I’m sad I won’t personally see the recovery of the Insight business. But recover it will – nothing will make me prouder than seeing the touring category on a pedestal for what it does best,” said Deveson.
“I think guided touring is, and will remain for some time, the most relevant and aspirational way to travel. I’ve had a great time working at TTC and leading an exceptional team, and I know it will remain great under the new leadership structure.”
David Farrar, who is marking a monumental career achievement, with 20 years of service with the group said of his farewelling TTC.
“20 years is a long time – I feel part of the TTC family. I am proud of what we have achieved at Insight Vacations and Luxury Gold. I’ve been here in our stellar years and more recently in the most challenging time. I have worked with terrific people at Insight – we have a strong team.
“I have made many great friends in this industry and I look forward to seeing the travel agent network back on its feet and thriving. On a personal level it is time for me to explore what is next – I’m ready for change and I’m excited for what comes my way next.”
Ulla Hefel Böhler, Global CEO of Insight Vacations and Luxury Gold, now TTC Tour Brands Chief Operating Officer, said: “Karen and David have both been exceptional leaders during their tenure – their passion, commitment, drive and love for Insight Vacations and Luxury Gold, our partners and our team have been nothing but incredible.
“Through their personal commitment and outstanding relationships, they have created solid foundations in the Australian market for these two brands, putting us in a strong position for the recovery of travel. We will always consider them part of the TTC family and can’t thank them enough for their many contributions.”
TTC says further communications on the new sales structure and territories will be shared with trade partners later this week.
For more information, visit ttc.com.