Exoticca has appointed Sharon Vaughan as its first Business Development Manager for Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Sharon will begin her new role on 17 August, supporting agents across both regions.
The appointment follows ‘very healthy growth from travel agents in both areas’ according to the operator, which highlighted strong demand for its regional departures across Scotland, Belfast and Dublin.
Sharon previously worked with Exoticca Managing Director Neil Sealy at If Only… where she spent 12 years as a travel consultant. She has been working most recently as a self-employed agent and joins with nearly 30 years experience in the travel industry.
Neil said: “Personally, I’ve known Sharon since 2012 when we both worked together. She has extensive industry experience from working in a busy tour operator call centre to being a self-employed travel agent.
“She also has a great work ethic, and an excellent understanding of tour operating from both sales and operational perspectives, and I have no doubt she will thrive in this BDM role.”
Sharon added: “I am really excited to start my new chapter with Exoticca as they are a brand I loved booking as an agent. Their diverse range of tours are fantastic value for money and extremely agent friendly and the fact they offered price parity was extremely important to me.
“It’s an exciting brand which is growing significantly and I’m delighted to be able to be part of that growth. I am really looking forward to meeting and supporting agents, building strong relationships and helping to get Exoticca to the forefront of their minds.
“Having worked in the travel industry for over 30 years I’m excited to bring my experience, passion and understanding of what agents need to the role. I’m looking forward to helping agents discover just how easy and rewarding Exoticca can be to sell. Ultimately, I’m hoping to make a real difference by increasing awareness, engagement and sales within the trade and becoming a trusted partner for agents.”
Exoticca is also in the process of hiring a BDM for the Midlands and South West and expects to make a further announcement in September.
