TORONTO — Well-known travel industry veteran Stephen Smith is taking on the newly formed role of Senior Vice President, Leisure Marketing, North America for Direct Travel.

Smith previously held the role of Senior Vice President, Marketing & Communications at Vision Travel, which was acquired by Direct Travel in 2017. Direct Travel is a leading member of Virtuoso.

Smith has been with Vision Travel for more than 12 years.

“I am thrilled to be welcoming Stephen to the Direct Travel team,” said Gerard Bellino, Executive Vice President, Leisure Travel, Direct Travel. “I firmly believe this positions us as the premier leisure travel organization within North America with an established marketing solution for both bricks and mortar operations and independent travel advisors.”

Says Smith: “I am truly excited to take on this role within Direct Travel and work with an incredible team as we continue to grow the leisure side of the business. Our ability to grow both organically and through acquisition put us in a unique position with our partners as we head into 2020. I look forward to building on what we have achieved in 2019 across Canada as Vision Travel and throughout the U.S. as Direct Travel.”