The group, which comprises Contiki, Trafalgar, Insight Vacations, Luxury Gold and Costsaver, plans to ramp up its sales operation in the UK under new director of sales Kelly Walker, who has joined the business from easyJet holidays, with support from new national account manager Polly Poulton, formerly of G Touring.

TTC said its decision to recruit a dedicated sales manager for homeworkers was driven by feedback from agents seeking flexible, tailored, in-depth support, as well as the continued growth of the homeworking sector.
Elsewhere, for the first time in its history, TTC will assign one of its two new area sales managers to agents in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Trade sales currently constitute more than 80% of the group’s business. TTC Tour Brands was recently named as TTG Sustainable Travel Heroes’ new touring partner.

Walker, who was appointed TTC Tour Brands director of sales Europe, UK and Ireland last November following a spell with easyJet holidays as its head of distribution, took up her new role in January. Hays Travel Independence Group lead, Natasha Marson, has since taken over from Walker at easyJet holidays.

"We are on an ambitious growth trajectory for the UK at TTC Tour Brands and I am delighted to have joined the company at such an exciting time," said Walker. "We are focusing on offering and developing some great new tours and experiences across our brands that are tapping into the evolving tastes and trends in the touring market. All of this is of course done with sustainability as one of our primary considerations."

Addressing the industry directly, Walker added: "If you, or anyone you know, is as excited by the sound of our UK plans as we are then we encourage them to get in touch about a number of live roles we currently have open as we continue to expand."

TTC Tour Brands said it had identified the UK as "a key market"; it has enlisted the help of a new communications agency in the UK, FleishmanHillard, to oversee all trade and consumer communications, responsibility for which will sit with TTC head of marketing UK and Europe Anna Vine.

The group is targeting sales growth "across the board" in the UK, and has flagged Japan, Canada and Scandinavia to agents as trending destinations. Trafalgar, Insight Vacations and Costsaver are currently offering 15% to 20% off tours, while Contiki is offering up to 25% off bookings made by 29 February.

Kelly Jackson, TTC Tour Brands managing director EMEA, added: “2024 has got off to a great start. We are seeing superb sales growth in the UK and I am excited to see Kelly Walker grow her sales team, further enhance our brand awareness in the industry, and reinforce our commitment to our trade partners, who make up over 80% of our business.”