Traveltek appoints two new regional sales executives to accelerate MENA expansion plans

Travel technology specialist’s Dubai office now fully operational with industry professionals Liam Butcher and Abir Aly joining the team.

Traveltek Group Ltd has appointed two new regional sales managers as the travel technology specialist forges ahead with its Middle East and North Africa (MENA) expansion strategy.

With demand for its leisure booking solutions on the rise, in a fast-growing travel market with an outbound value of more than US$64 billion annually, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), the company has brought on board industry professionals Liam Butcher and Abir Aly to identify new business development opportunities.

The new recruits, who bring to their roles solid sales, technology and travel industry experience, will be targeting key markets region-wide where agents, tour operators and wholesalers need sophisticated travel technology to help drive efficiencies, boost sales and meet the complex requirements of their customers.

"The Middle East is one of the world’s most dynamic and rapidly expanding travel markets and its outbound value will almost triple to $165.3 billion by 2025, the UNWTO predicts, yet the technology required to help the travel trade capitalise on this demand is lacking," explained Neil Welsh, Head of Sales – EMEA Region, Traveltek Group Ltd.

"With our Dubai office fully operational and two new savvy sales executives on board, Traveltek can help the region’s travel companies reach their full potential, offering advanced online B2B and B2C platforms that make selling and packaging leisure travel quick and easy."

He added: "I’d like to welcome Liam and Abir to the Traveltek team and am confident they will succeed in spreading the word about Traveltek’s business-transforming capabilities."

Liam is a British Business Management graduate with five years of sales and marketing experience working for companies that include global mega brand Coco Cola and more recently, leading Middle East events firm Terrapinn, where he was involved in sales for travel-related conferences and exhibitions.

Abir has worked in the travel industry for the past 20 years and before joining Traveltek was Regional Product Lead with online B2B hotel booking system LookanBook.com. After studying tourism and hospitality in her native Egypt, she started her career with travel agencies before moving to Bahrain flag carrier Gulf Air and has also held sales roles with GDS provider Travelport and private aviation firm Rotana Jet.

Traveltek’s new Dubai-based duo, with the support of Welsh, has already identified business opportunities across the region, with several new clients expected to be announced soon. They will join a growing portfolio of regional travel industry names, with Saudi Arabia’s leading IATA-accredited travel agency, Eirad International and Tourism, the most recent customer win.

The company’s award-winning dynamic packaging solutions have strong appeal, according to Welsh. The web-based technology empowers agencies and tour operators to hand-pick every component of a complex itinerary – including flights, hotels, tours, transfers, car rental, cruises, attraction tickets and more – and sell it as one package.

"Our technology improves speed to market, supports a multi-channel approach to business, offers multiple currency and language options, and increases reach and distribution at a time when the Middle East travel sector is flourishing," explained Welsh.

"Using our dynamic packaging tools, clients can differentiate their product by curating tailor-made offers and packages, helping them to steal a march on the competition."

Traveltek’s MENA growth drive follows a busy 12 months of expansion, which has also seen the company open two new regional offices in Asia – in Hong Kong and Singapore.

For more information visit www.traveltek.com