Brian Robertson, President of the Canada West region of Direct Travel, has announced the promotion of Julie Skinner to the role of VP, Leisure Sales and Operations for the region, which includes all provinces from British Columbia to Ontario.

In her new role, Skinner will be responsible for all aspects of the leisure travel experience for clients and for the expansion of the company’s Independent Travel Advisor program, which currently boasts almost 300 advisors.

Vision is the Canadian leisure travel arm of corporate travel management company Direct Travel.

“Julie has consistently shown tremendous leadership skills,” says Robertson. “Her ability to connect with advisors has resulted in the solid growth of their sales, whether they are employees or ITAs.”

Skinner started her career as a travel advisor in 1989 and joined the company in 2010. She is also known in the sporting world for her accomplishments as a curler: four-time Canadian Champion, two-time World Champion and two-time Olympic Bronze Medalist.

“Since the day I joined Vision, I’ve always believed in our personalized approach, allowing us to focus on people and relationships,” states Skinner. “I am absolutely thrilled to lead our team of travel advisors out of what, I think we all agree, has been the toughest two years in the history of our industry.”

In conjunction with Skinner’s promotion, Vision Travel reports that it will be hiring multiple regional managers in the Western provinces.

With 30 retail offices across Canada and almost 400 leisure travel advisors, Vison recently launched Direct ASCENT, a program focusing on the growth and professional development for Independent Travel Advisors.

Skinner, who is based in Victoria, can be reached at (250) 412-1871; toll-free (877) 412-1887 ext 8871; or at julie.skinner@visiontravel.ca.