Patrice Willoughby

LOS ANGELES — Cox & Kings has named Patrice Willoughby as Vice President of Strategic Accounts for Cox & Kings, The Americas. In her new role Willoughby will oversee the growth and direction of the company’s sales efforts in The Americas in addition to managing and fostering relationships across the industry, with a focus on travel professionals.

In her recent tenure with Virtuoso, Willoughby held various executive positions including Vice President, International Business Development, where she executed operational and marketing plans in 18 countries and before that opened Australia, a new venture for Virtuoso.

Just prior to joining Cox & Kings, The Americas she oversaw Business Development for ITeXplorer, an innovative new online platform for DMCs.

“We are thrilled to have Patrice, along with her strong background and passion for global travel, as a leader of Cox & Kings here in The Americas,” said Warren Chang, Chief Operating Officer, Cox & Kings, The Americas. “Her new role perfectly aligns with our strategic growth objectives and she will spearhead the effort of raising awareness or our unique experiential products and developing new business with travel professionals.”

Adds Willoughby, “My new position with Cox & Kings is an ideal blend of all of my previous travel industry experience. I am excited at the prospect of sharing the exotic locations to which Cox & Kings travels as well as supporting the agent community in engaging clients their during the travel planning process. My first order of business will be to strengthen and grow our many wonderful relationships and develop new relationships within the travel advisor community.”

Prior to her tenure with Virtuoso, Willoughby was with Forte Hotels in London, responsible for the creation of the company’s regional sales teams and eventually responsible for Forte Hotels’ worldwide offices. Returning to the U.S., she set up the first sales, marketing and reservations network for Thistle Hotels in the Americas. Eventually, she was recruited by Cunard as Vice President, Sales of the Americas and held that position for three years.