TORONTO — Vision Travel has promoted Julie Skinner to the role of Vice President, Leisure Sales and Operations for the Canada West region, including all provinces from British Columbia to Ontario.

The announcement was made by Brian Robertson, President of the Canada West region of Direct Travel. Vision is the Canadian leisure travel arm of Direct Travel.

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

In her new role, Skinner will be responsible for every aspect of the leisure travel experience for clients and for the expansion of the company’s Independent Travel Advisor program, which currently includes nearly 300 advisors. She began her career as a travel advisor in 1989 and joined the company in 2010, and is also known in the sporting world for her accomplishments as a curler: a 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,” said 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 will be hiring multiple regional managers in the Western provinces.

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.