Michelle Ryan takes on a pivotal role at APT amidst strategic expansion plans in Ireland.
- Ryan’s appointment aims to strengthen APT’s market presence by nurturing existing relationships and forming new partnerships within the travel industry.
- With over a decade of experience, Ryan brings substantial expertise from her previous position, enhancing APT’s growth strategy.
- Her role includes spearheading marketing initiatives and support for in-store activities, alongside exclusive training opportunities.
- The appointment is part of broader efforts following a notable increase in trade business and previous leadership promotions.
Michelle Ryan’s recent appointment as APT’s first dedicated country manager for Ireland marks a significant step in the company’s ambitions to enhance its foothold in the Irish market. Ryan, known for her impressive track record over the past decade in the travel industry, is expected to leverage her extensive expertise to foster both existing and new partnerships with agents. Her methodical approach will focus on strengthening APT’s market presence through targeted strategies and collaborative efforts with industry stakeholders.
Ryan will report to Brad Bennetts, the head of sales and business development at APT & Travelmarvel. Her responsibilities include spearheading joint marketing initiatives and providing in-store support. Additionally, Ryan will facilitate exclusive training and development opportunities designed to engage and empower travel agents. This structured approach aligns with APT’s strategic intent to invest heavily in the Irish market and expand its market share significantly.
In her previous role as sales development manager with Royal Caribbean International, Ryan demonstrated her capability in forming valuable partnerships with cruise specialists, consortia, and multiple stakeholders across Ireland. Her experience in supporting these partners through training, marketing, and incentive programmes will be highly beneficial to her new role at APT, where similar strategies are to be implemented to catalyse business growth.
Expressing her enthusiasm, Ryan stated, “I’m incredibly excited to join this dynamic company, and to help even more agents in Ireland to capitalise on the outstanding sales opportunity that APT’s Travelmarvel brand offers.” She added that her objective is to sustainably grow Travelmarvel’s presence in Ireland, which has already seen a marked increase in business since its launch, attributed to popular itineraries like the Rhine, Danube, and Douro rivers.
The rising interest in Travelmarvel’s offerings has been underpinned by the successful debut of the MS Estrela river ship, which has bolstered sales in high-demand itineraries. Plans are underway to further entrench Travelmarvel’s market position by offering exclusive familiarisation trips for Irish agents by 2025, allowing them to experience the exceptional service and offerings of APT cruises firsthand. This initiative reflects APT’s commitment to continuous expansion and investment in the region.
Michelle Ryan’s appointment signifies APT’s ongoing commitment to strengthening its market position in Ireland through strategic partnerships and innovative offerings.
