TORONTO — Merit Travel Group has named Mark Linton to the position of Vice President, Business Development, according to CEO Michael Merrithew.

In this newly-established role Linton will be an integral member of Merit’s senior management team with responsibility for sales growth and business development activities across the various Merit business units. Cross sales strategies, sales culture integration and representation at various industry symposiums, events and activities will round out his role and responsibilities.

An industry veteran with over 30 years’ experience in both the travel insurance and car rental industry segments, Linton has successfully demonstrated his strengths working with leading travel retailers, airlines, suppliers and associations; these relationships and skill sets will now be utilized in his new role with Merit Travel Group, said Merrithew.

“We welcome Mark to the Merit team and we wish him every success in his new role. We are extremely pleased to have such an experienced senior leader working with our core team to provide leadership around our growth strategies and business development activities,” said Merrithew.

“I have long known and admired Michael and Louise and have watched them grow their brand to the powerhouse it is today. When it was time for me to make a decision on my next role in the industry it made enormous sense for me to seek a role with Merit that would harness my extensive and broad industry experience. I am anxious to hit the ground running,” said Linton.

Established in 1991, privately-owned Merit Travel Group is active in corporate travel management, specialty leisure travel and loyalty programs. The Merit team includes more than 450 travel professionals located at 30 offices across Canada from Victoria, BC to St. John’s, NL.

Linton’s official start date is Thursday, May 1 and he can be reached by e-mail at mark.linton@merit.ca or by phone at the Merit head office in Toronto at 416-364-3775 ext. 4693.