Marketing and Creative

My role: Hello! - I am Kirsty the Sales and Marketing Manager here at The UK Holiday Group. I offer huge passion and enthusiasm for the travel industry with over 30 years business development experience in holidays. I manage a fantastic team of marketeers and travel trade experts, producing brochures, direct mail, digital marketing campaigns, website development and managing key partnerships. The fine tuning and balance of both digital and traditional marketing methods for the coach and groups holiday consumer means both strategic and tactical thinking, directing a varied multi-platform approach, and often a fair bit of creative input!

My experience: After graduating from Bournemouth University in Business and Tourism, I lived in France for 2 years working as a team manager for a leading self-catering operator, then I worked in their marketing team creating brochures and customer documentation. I moved on to a ferry operator with a large network of routes within Northern Europe working on their holiday programme as holidays product manager in the UK, Scandinavia and Europe. I then moved to Yorkshire to a leading European specialist tour operator with a family of travel brands and a huge product range from short breaks and mini cruises, to ski and long stay holidays. I then migrated into working for a large global website working with transport, rail, ferries, bus and self-drive travel accommodation options developing the sales and marketing campaigns for the tour and holiday programmes. I also spent some time with a Marketing Communications and Creative agency in a hugely busy and varied Sales and Marketing role - but the lure of travel and the industry I loved was just too much and beckoned me back…and here I hope to stay!

My favourite UK holiday destination: It’s got to be North Norfolk with its timeless creeks and estuaries, colourful fishing villages, seafood delights, and those incredible sunrises and open skies! My second UK favourite is Mevagissey in Cornwall where many a childhood holiday was spent crabbing, exploring the magnificent coast and sampling those delightful Cornish pasties and cream teas!

My role: As the Digital Marketing Lead at The UK Holiday Group, my focus is on driving online marketing strategies to boost engagement and reach both new and existing customers across our brands. My passion for exploring new destinations fuels my creativity and innovation in digital marketing and I look forward to getting stuck in on new and exciting projects.

My experience: I'm always on the hunt for my next holiday, and after earning a First-Class Honours degree in Advertising and Marketing Communications, I was eager to combine my two passions and pursue a career in the travel and tourism industry. I look forward to applying the skills I gained at university to make positive changes here at The UK Holiday Group.

My favourite UK holiday destination: The West Coast of Scotland feels like a second home to me—it’s where my Dad grew up, and we often visit family there. It boasts some of the most stunning views and beautiful sandy beaches I’ve ever seen! We always take the ferry to the nearby Isle of Arran, which is definitely worth a visit!

My role: The Offline Marketing Lead role has been specially developed to build our relationships with our valued travel partners. Travel Agents are very important to us with their knowledge, expertise, and service. So, I am very fortunate to have a role that incorporates visiting agents and providing a friendly face, point of contact and updates of all that Grand UK Holidays has to offer. Another important part of this role is utilizing traditional marketing methods to best advertise our wonderful brands.

My experience: I have always loved travelling, so jumped at the opportunity of returning to UKHG after selling my successful catering business. My previous careers have all included marketing from traditional to digital in different formats. So, with all these skills combined with achieving a CIM Diploma in Marketing I am delighted to be part of the UKHG Marketing team and to be able to bring my accrued knowledge and enthusiasm.

My favourite UK holiday destination: Must be Whitby, with its award-winning delicious fish & chips tasting divine whilst sitting on the beautiful harbour, breathing in the bracing sea air, and enjoying the stunning sea views, it’s a perfect holiday!

My role: I am the Marketing Apprentice and newest addition to the marketing team. I deliver the marketing for The UK Travel Club, as well as general marketing administrative duties including data cleansing, window posters and blog writing. I help my colleagues with both offline and online marketing projects as I work toward my Level 3 Apprenticeship in Marketing.

My experience: After completing my GCSEs, I decided to take the next step and join The UK Holiday Group as a marketing apprentice. Over the course of my apprenticeship, I aim to gain a variety of skills and experience to further develop my knowledge and understanding of marketing.

My favourite UK holiday destination: My favourite destination in the UK is Bristol. Home to the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge, I think Bristol is a wonderful, historic city with unique culture and scenery.