TUI Travel new media director Graham Donoghue is to become managing director of meta search giant TravelSupermarket, Travolution can exclusively reveal. Donoghue is widely regarded by many in the online travel industry as the driving force behind Thomson and latterly TUI Travel’s digital strategy in recent years. The period has seen the vertically integrated business…
Graham Donoghue quits TUI Travel for TravelSupermarket top job
TUI Travel new media director Graham Donoghue is to become managing director of meta search giant TravelSupermarket, Travolution can exclusively reveal.
Donoghue is widely regarded by many in the online travel industry as the driving force behind Thomson and latterly TUI Travel’s digital strategy in recent years.
The period has seen the vertically integrated business push increasing amounts of business through its portfolio of websites – 55% in 2007 – and introduce features such as hotel reviews (via a landmark deal with TripAdvisor), podcasts, interactive mapping and other cutting edge web functionality.
Donoghue, who has 15 years experience in the travel industry including seven at Thomson prior to its merger with First Choice last year, also played a pivotal role in the acquisition of review site HolidaysUncovered in September 2007.
The appointment comes as current TravelSupermarket managing director Chris Nixon prepares to leave the company for a one-year sabbatical.
Nixon confirmed recently to Travolution that he will not return to the travel part of the MoneySupermarket empire. The company became a publicly listed company on the London Stock Exchange in July 2007.
Donoghue will take up his new post in July 2008 and is expected to have a short handover period with Nixon.
MoneySupermarket chief executive Simon Nixon said: “Graham’s reputation precedes him, I know how well respected he is within the travel sector and I look forward to working with him.”
Donoghue added: “I am really excited to be working for a business with such a focus on innovation and entrepreneurialism.
“Still a young PLC, the business has achieved so much in such a short space of time. I am looking forward to applying my experience and knowledge of the travel industry to the company.”
