Paul Riches moves back to Youtravel
Paul Riches has returned to bed bank Youtravel as its new UK and Ireland managing director.
In his new position, Riches will be responsible for Youtravel’s UK and Ireland trade activities as well as for developing the company’s global business.
He will head the sales and service team and work closely with the executive management of Meeting Point Youtravel in Dubai, for which it acts as a sales and service office.
Riches was sales and marketing director at Youtravel until 2011, when he left to join holiday home specialist Interhome. He was most recently global business development director at lowcostbeds.
Youtravel chair Roula Jouny said: "We are delighted to welcome Paul on board. He joins us as we embark on an ambitious expansion plan: we aim to grow both UK and Ireland, as well as our international business, to become a major trade only global hotel provider. Paul and the team will be key in helping us to achieve our targets."
Riches said: "It is great to join the company now that Youtravel has clearly established itself as one of the leading UK bed banks.
"Due to our buying power through Meeting Point International, we are able to offer agents an extensive range of exclusive hotels and will be looking to further expand this range in 2016 and beyond."
Giovanni Operti, who is currently leading the UK operation, is moving back to Italy to set up a new sales and service office based in Torino.
Operti will therefore look after the expansion in Italy and further Mediterranean regions.
"Since Meeting Point Youtravel has become part of the (parent) FTI GROUP, we have grown the UK business significantly and are currently trading at 70% plus compared to the same period last year," said Jouny.
"We have identified six new source markets for expansion and will be targeting these over the forthcoming months. Italy is the first one. We are now looking to recruit experienced sales people, based in the new regions, or our London sales office, to help us achieve our ambitious global expansion."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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