Malcolm Archbold takes on the new role of long-haul contracts and XML business development manager and is based in youtravel.com’s Athens office. He reports into group managing director Graham Nichols and Vassilis Syngelakis, group hotels and product strategy director.

He joins youtravel.com from Alpha International Accommodation where he was product manager for seven months – prior to this he was with Gold Medal for nine years.

Group managing director Graham Nichols commented: “I’m thrilled that Malcolm has joined the team. Now that youtravel.com is 18 months old we’re concentrating on maximising opportunities in the long-haul arena as well as forging ahead with our international expansion and Malcolm’s experience makes him a great asset to the team.”

Archbold added: “‘I’m delighted to have joined a dynamic online organisation that is scheduled to double its first year turnover and look forward to working with the team to play a further part in the future success”.

Archbold’s appointment coincides with the expansion of the UK and international sales teams.

The UK team, headed up by recently promoted national sales manager Liz Garfield, has two new members. Two new office-based sales support executives have joined the team in Woking, Surrey. Lucy Franklin joins from Virgin Holidays Retail and Kate Carter from Espirit Holidays.

Jennie Skoglund, a recent graduate of Bournemouth University’s BA Tourism and Business Management, has joined the international sales team as international sales executive. She reports to Sofia Zournatzidi who oversees international sales at youtravel.com.

This comes a week after it was announced that youtravel.com signed a new deal giving it access to thousands of Chinese travel agents and Chinese resort properties thanks to a partnership with DerbySoft, the operator of China’s Global Distribution Network.

Nichols added: “Exciting times are ahead for youtravel.com as we prepare to enter our third year of trading, and with these new team members in place I am confident we can continue to go from strength to strength.”