Business travel agency prepares for take off as team grows

An Andover travel firm that specialises in business travel is celebrating after welcoming its 10th employee.

Few SMEs emerged unscathed from the pandemic but Principal Business Travel has kicked off 2023 by welcoming Cassie Beal, who will head up their expanding Meetings and Events division.

Cassie’s arrival also follows hot on the heels of a move to larger office premises for the growing team, which is led by travel expert Ingrid Sanderson.

Whilst much of the travel industry has been slow to recover from the pandemic, Principal Business Travel has increased almost 3-fold in less than 12 months.

Owner, Ingrid Sanderson, comments;

‘Going into the pandemic, there were just three of us working full time to meet the needs of our customers, travelling all over the world. Then the team was on furlough but since the world of travel has opened up again, business has boomed, as has our team.’

As well as heading up the Meetings and Events division, Cassie, who lives less than a mile from Ingrid’s rural office location, will be developing the VIP Concierge service for discerning business travellers who are looking for a more personal travel experience, away from the online booking engines.

Cassie has a strong background in hospitality, working in meetings and events roles in the UK, Europe and the US, with SME’s and blue chip companies on events ranging from intimate private dining events to 250+ delegate conferences.

Cassie comments;

‘I’m excited to have the opportunity to join the team at Principal Business Travel – Ingrid’s strong focus on excellent customer service, with meticulous attention to detail fits so well with my own ethos.

‘Travel booking can be such an impersonal service with so much being online, so it’s refreshing to be going back to actually talking to clients and guiding them through their travelling experience. Although my commute is now short, I’m looking forward to going the “extra mile” to provide customers with the excellent service that they have come to expect.’

Ingrid concludes;

‘Cassie’s role positions us as a truly personal business travel agent – or a ‘Travel PA’ – enabling our clients to feel looked after and ultimately saving them time, hassle and stress in this ever-changing world.

‘It’s a vision I have had for a long time and (excuse the pun) I am excited to see it finally take off!