Gilpin Travel appoint new BDM

20th November, 2008

Gilpin Signal Market Move with Key Appointment

18 November 2008 - Gilpin Travel has appointed Tania Reynolds to the role of business development manager. This is a newly created position in anticipation of the expansion of Gilpin Travel as a boutique corporate travel management company in the market.

Despite the predicted down turn in the economy, managing director Keith Sumner believed there were huge opportunities to grow their market share of the corporate travel business and the appointment of Ms. Reynolds was part of that strategy.

"We are looking to double our turnover in the next three years and we wanted to create a business development role to ensure we not only had a proactive presence on the ground but that we were taking customer service to the next level." 

Ms. Reynolds is well known in the industry with 23 years of experience particularly in the areas of corporate travel, supplier relations and procurement.

"To secure Tania in that position was a real coup for us. Her experience, depth of knowledge and reputation in the industry all speak for themselves and I've no doubt while the next six months will be tough with the economy, it is the right time to move forward with laying the foundations for our future growth."  

Gilpin Travel has built a solid reputation in the industry as a specialist travel management company focusing on the SME market, an area Mr. Sumner believes is often over looked by travel management companies.

"The SME market is the backbone of the New Zealand economy and their travel needs are quite different to the large, blue chip corporations. While we do have a wide range of clients in respect to size, our focus has been in the SME market. We also have a deliberate strategy to grow at a pace that allows us to retain our existing customers."

Ms. Reynolds believes there is a gap in the market around the delivery of high service standards to corporate customers.

"One of the main attractions for me was Gilpin Travel's high service ethics to their customers. It is an area I am hugely passionate about and I am excited about coming on board and driving this focus for the business."

Ms. Reynolds remarked that being a New Zealand owned company certainly was an asset in these economic times when pitching for business.

"As individuals we are becoming increasingly loyal as consumers and corporate citizens are no different. My experience in the industry indicates there is a much greater focus on aligning our personal values with that of companies we transact business with. I saw this as another strength area for Gilpin Travel."

Ms. Reynolds begins with Gilpin Travel on 14 December.