Inside Travel Group has recruited two experienced industry figures as it continues to push for significant growth within the next two years.

InsideJapan has appointed Kate Samuel as its new UK-based senior Japan tailor-made product manager, while InsideAsia has selected Sue Livsey to be the head of the brand.

Inside Travel Group co-founder Simon King said: “Inside Travel’s Year of the Dragon has started very positively with these two key appointments. We are very proud of what we have already created and look forward to fulfilling growth plans that will ultimately benefit our destination partners, trade partners and customers over the coming years.”

In October last year, King outlined plans to double the size of the business by 2026.

Samuel’s previous roles include positions with Scott Dunn, Audley Travel and Trailfinders, while Livsey’s most recent roles in her 25-year career in the industry were senior product and commercial positions in companies including Abercrombie & Kent and Cox & Kings.

Samuel, who has 20 years of industry experience, described the role with InsideJapan as “very exciting” and revealed that she “jumped at the chance” to join a company with B Corp status.

Livsey said: “InsideAsia has doubled its departures in 2023 compared with 2019 and I cannot wait to help deliver yet more growth for this company committed to sustainable cultural adventures across these special destinations.”

King said Inside Travel Group recruited more than 80 people last year, which “strengthened the team significantly”.

Picture (from left): Kate Samuel and Sue Livsey