The operator’s trade sales grew 20% over the past year, with agents now accounting for 17% of the company’s total business.
“Experience travel group is targeting a significant increase in agent bookings with the creation of this position,” said the company.
Abi Northage will assume the role on Tuesday (18 June). She steps up from a customer-facing role with the remit of strengthening the group’s relationships with existing agent partners.
Prior to joining Experience Travel Group, Northage worked for 20 years for British Airways as a cabin service director across the airline’s long-haul and short-haul operations.
She later moved into a HQ role as innovations learning and design manager and trainer, which involved exploring ways to improve and enhance customer service and client relationships.
Sam Clark, Experience Travel Group co-founder and managing director, said: "We are delighted to have someone with Abi’s industry experience and expertise take on this vital role for the business.
"We are confident she will ensure we offer our travel agent partners the maximum support and help possible so they can grow their high-quality bookings to Asia and beyond.”
The role, says the group, has been created specifically to grow sales and expertise among the trade across its range of holidays to Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Malaysian Borneo, Burma (Myanmar), Maldives, Indonesia and India.
Northage will be a “focal point” for agent enquiries, with partners also able to access dedicated marketing materials and resources, online webinar and training, opportunities for face-to-face meetings and professional support from the group’s consultants.
“By offering this support, Experience Travel Group looking to give agents greater confidence and knowledge of ETG’s full product range, which will enable them to engage and build a trusted relationship with their customers, who are seeking a unique and personalised holiday experience in Asia,” the group added.
Northage will be based at Experience’s office in Clapham, London.
