IGNITE TRAVEL GROUP APPOINTS MICHAEL MIDDLETON TO LEAD CRUISE DIVISION
The trailblazers of travel, Ignite Travel Group (ITG) has today announced the appointment of Michael Middleton into the newly created role of General Manager of Cruise, effectively immediately.
Bringing a wealth of knowledge to his new position, Mr Middleton joins the innovative travel group after most recently spending eight years building up and running Western Australia’s largest Cruise company Bitcon Travel. An impressive career spanning nearly 28 years, Mr Middleton’s industry experience has primarily focused in cruise specialist environments seeing him run his own travel agency in New Zealand and hold management roles at leading Cruise agencies throughout the UK.
The appointment signals exciting times for the multi-channelled travel-marketing visionaries. ITG’s Founder and Managing Director Randall Deer said Michael’s wealth of experience and vital industry knowledge is a positive lead to further expand the presence of its Cruise category.
“MyCruises is one of our fasted growing business units. When ITG launched MyCruises two years ago we had four employees within the team, this has now expanded to over 20 specialist staff and our goal is to double this figure again.” Mr Deer said.
“Mr Middleton’s invaluable background will assist Ignite in projecting our Cruise division to new levels and we look forward to seeing his success and positive impact in this steadfast role.”
Mr Middleton said he is delighted to be joining the leading innovators of travel at such a pivotal time for the business.
“I am thrilled to be joining a great team who are not only passionate about the cruising industry but dedicated in their roles to secure innovative products lines with huge opportunity for travel partners and suppliers, delivering exclusive benefits to customers across Australia,” Mr Middleton said.
“Ignite are rapidly growing to become one of Australia’s top cruise agents and it’s a fantastic time to be coming onboard. They have ambitious plans for the future and I am looking forward to contributing as an integral member in the next stages of their journey.”
Cruise sits within the MyHolidayCentre (MHC) brand, an ITG business unit that specialises in luxurious value-added packaged holiday experiences spanning across 14 destinations and sectors. MyCruises hand-pick select partners and work with industry leaders to showcase only the best airlines, resorts and cruise operators from around the world, delivering exclusively packaged cruising holidays that are unique from those offered by everyone else in the market. Their unique inclusions bundle together signature bonuses that MyHolidayCentre has become renowned for, with pre-and-post accommodation, flights, ground transfers, luxury upgrades and extra room nights included to perfectly complete the holiday experience for customers.
About Ignite Travel Group – Ignite Travel Group has evolved from a patented travel-based rewards and promotions business to an awarded, multi-channelled travel marketing corporation. Parent to RewardsCorp, MyHolidayCentre and Holiday Exclusives, ITG is one of the larger private corporations on the Gold Coast currently employing over 150 staff. In June 2018, Ignite was recognised as Australia’s 2nd largest travel advertiser for its advertising spend worth $48 million from Jun17-May 18. In 2018, Ignite signed partnerships with 7travel, Flybuys travel and RACQ, massively expanding its distribution network which sits in addition to its long-term exclusive partnership with Flight Centre Travel Group.
ENDS – For an interview with Michael Middleton, General Manager of Cruise at Ignite Travel Group or for further information, please contact Rachael Walker, Marketing Manager, Ignite Travel Group on 07 5555 8888 or email: rachael.walker@ignitetravel.com
