APT appoints experienced leader Michelle Ryan as first country manager for Ireland, aiming to strengthen the Travelmarvel brand.
- Ryan’s role focuses on building and nurturing relationships with travel agents to boost market presence.
- Her appointment aligns with plans to provide exclusive fam trips for Irish agents in 2025, enhancing their engagement.
- With a decade of experience in the industry, Ryan brings expertise from her tenure at Royal Caribbean International.
- The company’s strategic focus is on increasing sales of popular river cruises and expanding its market footprint.
In a forward-thinking move, APT has appointed Michelle Ryan as its first country manager for Ireland, a role that underscores the company’s commitment to enhancing its Travelmarvel brand within this market. Ryan’s primary responsibility will be to establish and deepen collaborations with travel agents and retail partners, a strategy aimed at bolstering the brand’s presence in Ireland. Her appointment is part of a broader effort to drive trade business exclusively through agents.
Moreover, APT is making strategic investments in the Irish market with plans to introduce dedicated fam trips for agents in 2025. These familiarisation trips are designed to offer agents a firsthand experience of Travelmarvel’s offerings, thereby equipping them to better market these services to potential clients. This initiative highlights the cruise line’s dedication to fostering strong ties with the industry’s frontline sellers.
Ryan brings with her over 10 years of invaluable experience in the travel industry, particularly in business development and sales. Previously, as a sales development manager at Royal Caribbean International, she played an instrumental role in cultivating partnerships with key cruise specialists and consortiums across Ireland. Her background arms her with the necessary skills and networks to propel Travelmarvel forward in its growth trajectory.
According to Brad Bennetts, head of sales and business development at APT & Travelmarvel, Ryan’s extensive experience and industry connections render her an ideal fit for the role. Bennetts expressed confidence in her ability to drive the brand forward, citing her contacts and adeptness as critical assets in the company’s continued expansion and investment plans for Ireland.
The market demand in Ireland currently favours river cruising, notably on Travelmarvel’s Contemporary River Ships along the Rhine and Danube, as well as the Douro in Northern Portugal. This demand is supported by the introduction of the new MS Estrela river ship, which is expected to capture the interest of cruise enthusiasts. Michelle Ryan articulated her eagerness to engage with the dynamic Irish market and leverage the significant sales opportunities APT’s Travelmarvel brand is set to unveil.
Ryan envisions a collaborative future with travel agents, with an emphasis on showcasing Travelmarvel’s gold standard fleet, itineraries, and superior service. Her strategy involves rolling out joint marketing initiatives, providing in-store support, and offering exclusive training sessions aimed at empowering agents to effectively sell Travelmarvel’s cruise experiences.
Michelle Ryan’s appointment signifies APT’s strategic commitment to fortifying its market reach and nurturing industry relationships in Ireland.
