Global Touring has appointed former Celebrity Cruises sales leader Trevor Thwaites as director of sales, as the touring group looks to accelerate growth across its brand portfolio following the departure of its APAC sales head.
The company, which sits behind Topdeck Travel, Back-Roads Touring and Grasshopper Adventures, said Thwaites will lead its sales strategy across Australia and New Zealand following a recent realignment of the function.
Thwaites brings nearly 20 years’ experience across the premium travel sector, most recently spending three and a half years at Celebrity Cruises. Prior to that, he held leadership roles with Princess Cruises and Oceania Cruises, after starting his career in reservations at P&O Cruises.
The move marks Thwaites’ first role in the touring sector, with Global Touring positioning the appointment as a strategic play to bring fresh thinking from cruise into its land-based brands.
The company said Thwaites will be tasked with building on Back-Roads’ current momentum while unlocking further growth opportunities across key markets.
Global Touring general manager APAC Anna Fawcett said the appointment strengthens the business as it enters its next phase.
“This is a big win for Global Touring. Trevor is an exceptional commercial leader with an impressive sales record and leadership history. Bringing someone of his calibre into the touring space is incredibly exciting particularly as we look to learn from the cruise sector and apply those insights to drive growth across our brands.”
“This appointment is about strengthening our foundations and setting ourselves up for the next phase of growth. With Trevor’s leadership in the sales space, we have a clear opportunity to take Back-Roads from strength to strength while continuing to evolve how we show up in market across all brands.”
Thwaites said he was looking forward to stepping into a new sector at a pivotal time for the business.
“I’m incredibly excited to be joining Global Touring at such a pivotal time for the business. The opportunity to work across three distinctive and compelling brands, each offering immersive and engaging travel experiences, is something I’m really looking forward to.”
“Having spent my career in cruise, stepping into touring presents a new and exciting challenge. I’m particularly looking forward to re-engaging with trade partners in this new role and helping them grow their footprints across these exceptional products.”
Former head of sales APAC Bobby Hale has left the business to take up a general manager role with Wave Hospitality Group, where he will oversee Omnicare Holidays, Pacifica Travel and Norfolk Island Travel Centre.
Bobby Hale leaves Topdeck, steps into GM role at Wave Hospitality Group
