Donna Jeavons to lead new TTC Tour Brands operation in UK
James ChappleThe Travel Corporation is bringing together its global touring brands under a single marketing, sales and operating structure, which will be overseen in the UK, Ireland and Europe by Donna Jeavons.
Jeavons, who is currently sales and marketing director for TTC’s Contiki, Costsaver and Trafalgar brands, will also assume responsibility for Insight Vacations and Luxury Gold under a new TTC Tour Brands division.
Chris Townson, meanwhile, will continue in his role as managing director of Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, with an expanded remit which includes responsibility for growing the line’s European markets.
Jeavons said the restructure would create "a seamless selling experience" for agents, and added an announcement would follow on a "strengthened" on-the-road UK sales team.
"I’m thrilled to lead the newly formed combined TTC Tour Brands team and am pleased we will be able to further support travel agents to match the right tour brand to the right client," said Jeavons.
"I look forward to announcing our strengthened on-road sales team in the near future, which will ensure even greater coverage across the wide diversity of this brand portfolio.
"We’re creating a seamless selling experience for the travel agent community and while this structure may be new, it is designed with one constant: the benefit to our partners."
TTC said the global restructure would see TTC Tour Brands serve as a single entity for the five names, spanning sales, marketing and operations – adding the move would allow the group to "further elevate" each brand’s identity and points of differentiation.
Gavin Tollman will become chief executive of TTC Tour Brands, with veteran TTC executives Ulla Hefel Bohler, Dee Marrocco and Duncan Roberston serving as chief operating officer, chief marketing officer and chief digital officer respectively, while Adam Armstrong will remain chief executive of Contiki.
The heads of TTC’s five aligned global sales and marketing regions – UK and Europe, Oceania, North America, Asia and South Africa – will report to the new-look executive team.
’Eliminating confusion’
Tollman said the new structure would make it easier for agents to do business with each of TTC’s individual touring brands "at a moment when touring and expert holiday guidance have become increasingly important to travellers".
“The expertise, comfort and confidence of a touring holiday has never been more relevant, and we [TTC] saw a unique opportunity to leverage this moment to bring together our diverse and award-winning tour brands under a singular marketing, sales and operational structure,” said Tollman.
Tollman revealed TTC would, in June, launch a single sign on agent booking partner, allowing agents to explore and book all tours offered by TTC’s touring brands in one place. "We are becoming more efficient in our structure and with our tools to serve our partners better," he continued. "We are eliminating confusion in the marketplace and strengthening the integrity of our unique and diverse tour brands."
Marrocco added: "It has been wonderful being in market, hands on with trade. We see the new challenges and opportunities as we emerge from the pandemic and have never been better positioned to support and collaborate with agents in helping travellers explore the world once more.”
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