The role sees him take responsibility for the two countries’ trade activities as well as develop the company’s global business.

He will also head up the sales and service team and will report to the executive management of Meeting Point Youtravel, based in Dubai.

Riches’ return to Youtravel comes following a four-year stint at the lowcosttravelgroup where he was group director of sales. He was previously sales and marketing director at Youtravel.

Youtravel chairwoman Roula Jouny said: ”We are delighted to welcome Paul on board.

“He joins us as we embark on an ambitious expansion plan: we aim to grow both UK and Ireland, as well as our international business, to become a major trade only global hotel provider.

“Paul and the team will be key in helping us to achieve our targets.”

Riches added: “It is great to join the company now that Youtravel has clearly established itself as one of the leading UK bed banks.

“Due to our buying power through Meeting Point International, we are able to offer agents an extensive range of exclusive hotels and will be looking to further expand this range in 2016 and beyond.”

Jouny added the company had also been boosted after it joined Munich-based travel company FTI Group.

She said: “Since Meeting Point Youtravel has become part of the FTI GROUP, we have grown the UK business significantly and are currently trading at 70 percent plus compared to the same period last year.

“We have identified six new source markets for expansion and will be targeting these over the forthcoming months. Italy is the first one.

“We are now looking to recruit experienced sales people, based in the new regions, or our London sales office, to help us achieve our ambitious global expansion.”