APT has announced the appointment of Holly Piggott to the newly created role of sales executive to “support the operator’s expanded sales team and key partners”.

Piggott first joined APT in 2019 as reservations consultant, before being promoted to sales team leader.

Before that, Piggott was branch manager of Thomas Cook’s Chesham store, “adding great insight into the day-to-day needs of APT’s travel agent partners to her skillset”, a statement said.

APT ‘driving trade sales’ plan

APT & Travelmarvel head of sales and business development Brad Bennetts said: “Holly has been an integral member of the team since joining APT in 2019 and won APT Employee of the Year in 2021.

“Now part of our expanded sales team, Holly will support our BDMs as we drive forward our trade sales strategy and bring a wealth of forthcoming and exciting new product innovations to market.

“She will help with the organisation of key events for the trade, with the development of new training, the distribution of sales and marketing assets, as well as gathering market intelligence to help us better serve our valued agent partners.”

Earlier in May, the operator launched a series of ‘value added’ offers for the trade to help them boost their river cruise sales this summer.

Travelmarvel’s best available cabin upgrades offer is returning for another year, while £99 deposits will be available on all ‘Luxury’ and ‘Essential’ European river cruises throughout 2023.

The luxury operator will also be waiving solo supplements on summer departures of Travelmarvel’s European river cruises, sailing aboard its Contemporary-class ships.