James Villas creates new trade relations team

A new three-strong team has been formed within the James Villas guest relations team, focused on supporting the trade and strengthening agent relations.

The trade relations team will be led by manager, Alison Burton, who has more than 20 years’ experience in the travel industry, including 15 years with Thomas Cook and two at Hays. She has also held trade facing roles at Stena Line and Sandals & Beaches Resorts and has extensive experience working with multiples, home workers and independent agents building relationships and sales.

She has been with James Villas for two years in sales and guest operations and will now be leading the trade relations strategy for the brand, including organising face to face and video sessions, in-branch training, and coffee mornings, online and self-learning training modules, educational visits and incentives.

Speaking on the new role, she said: “I am really looking forward to working with the travel trade again, and reconnecting with industry colleagues. My team is fantastic and brings experience from throughout the business, to help and support our agent partners. I can’t wait to get out and about, meeting up with agents and sharing information about the incredible breadth of product that we have to offer their customers.”

Joining Burton in the trade team are Aimie Fisher and Lauren White, both as guest operations specialists – trade relations. Fisher took the opportunity to learn a new industry during the pandemic, starting work as a self-employed travel agent and learning the business before joining James Villas in 2022.  White joined James Villas in 2021 after studying Travel and Tourism at college and gaining industry experience in a family run ski holiday business.  Both bring strong experience in customer service and supplier relations and will be working closely with agents on their bookings as well as competitions and incentives.

Bookings can be made with the team on 01622 655700 or via the online agent portal on the James Villas website. Any agents needing login access can email agentadmin@jamesvillas.co.uk