Collette expands local team

TOUR operator Collette says it has witnessed significant growth in the Australian market since establishing a base here in Jan 2015 and is embarking on its biggest recruitment drive to-date to keep up with demand.

Collette’s general manager for Australia Alison Mead said sales through the firm’s preferred distribution arrangements, independent agencies and group sales were generating the growth with recruitment now underway for a head of business development, groups account exec and reservation consultants.

The senior role of head of biz development will work alongside Mead and marketing manager James Hewlett to “develop new business partnerships which may be trade or may be direct, building databases and hunting opportunities,” Mead said.

Groups business ranging from 10 passengers through to full coaches “is growing and growing,” according to Mead, who has shifted responsibilities of servicing this business away from the call centre to become the focus of a new dedicated groups account executive.

She said res staff were also sought in order to deliver industry-best low call wait times.

“We have a commitment to answering our phones within 30 seconds, so as business keeps growing we’ll be adding more consultants to the team.”

An additional bdm role servicing NSW has been filled with the successful candidate to be announced imminently.

“We’re ready to take things to the next level”, added Mead.