Trade-only luxury operator Lusso has expanded the team in its dedicated Africa division, Africa by Lusso, which launched last January.

The brand has recruited Africa specialist Julie Gough, who was raised in South Africa and has a wealth of experience in the sector, having worked in sales roles for specialist operators African Pride and Africa & Beyond for 19 years.

Gough will work alongside the operator’s head of Africa Zoe Carroll.

She said: “I’ve been fortunate enough to travel extensively across eastern and southern Africa. I’m now hugely excited to share my knowledge and experience with Lusso’s agent partners, helping them shape luxury safaris and highly bespoke journeys for their most discerning clients.”

Lusso hailed a “strong” start to the year after launching its new 2024 Holiday Sale brochure in the first week of January.

The collection features offers and tailor-made itineraries from around the world, selected by its destination specialists and product managers.

Many of the offers are designed to be booked before the end of March and include savings of up to £3,540 per person.

Lusso said a “limited number” of brochures were still available to agents.

The operator was also named All Star Tour Operator of the Year 2023 by the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO) at its All Stars Awards dinner this month.

The awards, voted for by AITO’s travel agent members, were part of the organisation’s annual conference, which took place at the Leonardo Hotel in Hinckley on January 6 and 7.

“It’s an absolute delight to win such a prestigious award, all the more so because it’s voted for by AITO’s travel agent members, many of whom we have worked with for years,” said Lusso’s sales director Gareth Hulmston. “A massive thank you to all the agents who voted.”