THE group that owns the Feathers Hotel in Ludlow has appointed a sales manager that it is planned will help to boost the number of people visiting the town and staying in the iconic hotel.

Crest Hotels, owners of the Feathers in Ludlow has bolstered its senior management team with the appointment of Sarah Tunnadine as Group Sales Manager.

Ms Tunnadine assumes overall responsibility for all sales for the hotel group which has four hotels in its portfolio, the Feathers Hotel in Ludlow; the Holiday Inn Express Liverpool / Knowsley and Arnos Manor and the Almondsbury Interchange, both of which are in Bristol.

She brings a wealth of experience to the role having worked in the hospitality industry for 26 years and is already a valued asset to the team.

“My heart has always been in the hospitality industry and after three years as sales director of a legal services franchise knew that my real passion was hotels and so I am delighted to be going back to my roots and to an industry I know inside and out,” she said.

“The opportunity with Crest Hotels is something I am very excited about as the group are embarking on some exciting investment programmes, refurbishment plans and an acquisition trail so I very much look forward to supporting the team and growing Crest nationally.”

Having worked specifically in hotel sales since 1993, she started her career as sales and marketing manager for a single hotel before quickly progressing to national roles for large and small hotel groups, including Thistle, Holiday Inn Express, Moat House, Copthorne and Novotel.

Operations director for Crest Hotels, Jason Hiley believes that the appointment with strengthen the hotel group.

“We’re delighted to welcome Sarah to the team,” said Mr Hiley.

“She has a wealth of experience in the industry and we know that she will rise to the challenge and will confidently make a difference to the group.

“She is passionate about providing unrivalled levels of customer service to guests, really putting the hotel at the heart of the community. Under her guidance, we know our hotels will embrace that same ethos which will not only increase sales but boost tourism and business in the local economies in which we operate too.”

Crest Hotels is a privately owned and managed hotel group with four properties across the UK in its portfolio, ranging from independent resort hotels, to large scale, internationally branded properties.