TUI is expanding its trade team with two new appointments and recruitment under way for two new dedicated Marella Cruises roles.
Carly Graham has moved into the newly created Key Account Manager role for the London Gatwick catchment, where she will work with agents, providing account management, training and commercial support.
She has almost 20 years’ experience with the company at the TUI Staines Superstore, where she was most recently Senior Retail Manager.
Alicia Houlihan will join the Key Account Support Specialist team on 8 September, moving from Marella Cruises Trading. She previously worked at TUI’s Bury store in Greater Manchester.
Her appointment takes the number of dedicated Key Account Support Specialists to five, providing day-to-day support to trade partners.
TUI is also recruiting a Marella Cruises Trade Training Manager following Sarah Whitehouse’s move into a new role within TUI.
The new position will lead Marella Cruises’ trade training and engagement strategy, supporting agents with product knowledge and training.
A newly created Marella Cruises Key Account Manager role is also being recruited. It will be the first dedicated field-based position focused exclusively on Marella Cruises’ frontline agent partners.
The role will cover agents across the UK, with a particular focus on the North, reflecting the geographical distribution of partners.
TUI said the changes are part of its ongoing investment in trade partnerships, with a focus on dedicated account management, training, product knowledge and commercial support for agents.
The appointments follow TUI Group’s reiteration that the UK travel trade remains a valued distribution arm, despite the launch last month of its new direct-sell brand, Sundeals.
Last month TUI Group CEO Sebastian Ebel said he welcomed the opportunity to reassure third-party agents that they are still valued.
TUI UK Director Retail, Omnichannel & 3rd Party Sales Jill Cunningham said: “Our trade partners play a vital role in our success, so it’s important that we continue to invest in the support, expertise and relationships that help agents grow their businesses with TUI.
“We’re delighted to welcome Carly and Alicia to the team, while also creating additional opportunities across both our trade and Marella Cruises functions. These appointments and new roles will help us provide even greater support to agents across the UK and ensure we’re well placed to meet growing demand from our partners.”
TUI is also changing leadership at TUI Blue, with Louise Bates taking over as Managing Director from Artur Gerber on 1 October.
Louise, previously Director of Brand & Products at TUI Hotels & Resorts, will join the management board and share responsibility for the hotel brand with CEO Bernd Mäser.
Pictured, from left: Carly and Alicia
