Bunnik Tours has appointed Kate Thornburg as its newest business development manager in NSW as it strengthens its national trade sales team.
Positioned in Sydney, Thornburg will work alongside NSW/ACT business development manager Walter Delorie to expand Bunnik Tours’ trade presence and deepen relationships with agency partners across the state.
Bringing more than 20 years’ experience in the travel industry, Thornburg has held roles across both retail and wholesale, including over 15 years as a retail travel consultant and four years as a business development manager for APT. Her career has spanned the UK, Australia and New Zealand, giving her a well-rounded understanding of the industry from multiple perspectives.
In her new role, Thornburg focuses on building strong partnerships with agents, delivering training and hosting client events – with the goal of giving consultants the confidence to recommend Bunnik Tours’ product.
“Having worked on both sides of the industry, I understand the challenges agents face and the level of support they need from a BDM to succeed,” Thornburg said.
“My role is to build strong relationships with our trade partners and give them the confidence to sell Bunnik Tours. Once clients experience our tours, our repeat rate speaks for itself – which is great for both our partners and our business.”
Thornburg said the company’s strong reputation and people-first approach made the decision to join an easy one.
“I love that Bunnik Tours is an Australian, family-run business where the leadership team is still actively involved in hosting tours,” Thornburg added. “The loyalty of both staff and clients is a huge indicator that the company is doing something right, and I’m excited to be part of that.”
“We’re thrilled to welcome Kate to the team,” Bunnik Tours national sales manager Zoe Francis said. “Her extensive experience across the travel industry – particularly as both a retail consultant and BDM – allows her to truly understand and support our agent partners.
“Kate’s energy, industry knowledge and passion for travel make her a fantastic addition, and we’re excited to see her build strong relationships across New South Wales.”
“No two days are ever the same — the industry is constantly evolving, and there’s always something new to learn or a new destination to discover,” Thornburg said. “To me, the more you travel, the more you realise how much there is still to see.”
