APT has announced the appointment of Robin Griffiths as Business Development Manager for The Midlands, in a strategic hire that will help to ensure the luxury APT and flexible four-star Travelmarvel brands are the river cruising, small ship sailing, and touring operators of choice for agents in the region.

Robin brings a wealth of trade experience, and a deep understanding of travel agents’ needs, having worked in retail and BDM positions for brands such as Kuoni, Emirates and Gold Medal. Robin will join the company from November and take responsibility for building APT & Travelmarvel’s relationships with key trade partners in The Midlands, identifying new business opportunities, managing third-party retail accounts, and delivering quality and engaging training for local agents.

Robin’s appointment is the first step in APT’s recently announced trade team expansion, as the leading river cruise, yachting and touring operator ramps up its agent support and continues its aggressive growth. Reporting sales that are exceeding pre-pandemic levels, the 95-year-old business is prioritising the trade as it looks ahead to its centenary and beyond, with exciting new products and travel styles.

Robin will report into Brad Bennetts, Head of Sales and Business Development for APT & Travelmarvel. “We are thrilled to welcome Robin Griffiths to the APT family,” said Brad. “Having worked with Robin before, I know that he will hit the ground running, and his professionalism and intricate understanding of the travel trade will be a fantastic asset as we build awareness of our products and commercial opportunities for our valued agent partners.”

“I am very excited to be joining APT at such an exciting time for the brand, and to raise awareness of the brands’ incredible product offerings still further in The Midlands,” said Robin Griffiths. “I am looking forward to helping existing trade partners to find even greater sales success, as well as introducing new agents to the myriad opportunities that APT & Travelmarvel can offer them and their clients.”