Aaron Dodkin has joined APT Travel Group as Business Development Manager for New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. His role focuses on partner engagement and sales support across one of the country’s largest agency territories. Dodkin brings over a decade of experience in cruise and touring sales, previously working with Norwegian Cruise Line, Global Touring, and Back-Roads Touring. At Norwegian Cruise Line, he was responsible for building brand awareness and sales across NSW and the ACT, a responsibility that aligns with his current role in supporting stronger connections between APT and its agency partners. His tenure at Norwegian Cruise Line provided him with a foundation in handling the complexities of cruise industry trends, including seasonal demand fluctuations and the importance of maintaining consistent client engagement through tailored sales strategies.
Background in Cruise and Touring Sales
Dodkin’s career includes stints with Norwegian Cruise Line, where he managed business development for NSW and ACT. Before that, he worked with Global Touring and Back-Roads Touring, helping grow sales and expand market share. At Back-Roads, he exceeded sales targets, delivered growth across key accounts, and was shortlisted for the NTIA Sales Executive of the Year (Land) award. His work at Back-Roads involved identifying new business opportunities within his territory, a skill that has been honed through years of analyzing market trends and client preferences. This experience has equipped him with a subtle understanding of how to align product offerings with the evolving needs of travel advisors and their clients. Dodkin’s ability to exceed sales targets while maintaining strong relationships with key accounts demonstrates his capacity to drive performance in both cruise and touring sectors, a duality that is increasingly relevant in a market where agencies often operate across multiple product lines.
His background spans both cruise and touring, giving him a grounding in the retail travel setting, distribution channels, and shifting client demand. For travel advisors in NSW and ACT, the appointment gives them a dedicated contact for strategic account planning, training, and sales support across the APT Travel Group’s portfolio of touring and cruising brands. Dodkin’s prior experience in both sectors positions him uniquely to address the needs of agencies that manage diverse product offerings, ensuring that APT’s support is tailored to the specific challenges of the region. His presence as a familiar face in the territory, bolstered by his existing trade network, means that advisors can engage with someone who already understands the local market’s nuances, reducing the learning curve for new collaborations.
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Travel advisors in the region now have a dedicated point of contact for account planning and sales support. This move positions Dodkin as a familiar face in a territory where advisors often handle both cruise and touring products. His background in both sectors could help streamline collaboration between agencies and APT. A move from cruise back into touring gives Dodkin a foot in both camps, useful in a territory where advisors sell across both. His NTIA shortlisting and existing trade network mean NSW and ACT partners are also dealing with a familiar face rather than a fresh contact.
Industry Reaction and Future Outlook
Rashelle Thompson, APT Travel Group’s sales state manager for NSW and ACT, said the appointment strengthens the team. “Aaron is highly respected across the industry and brings a wealth of sales, touring, and cruise experience to the role,” she said. “His passion and deep understanding of industry relationships make him a fantastic addition to our team.” “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Aaron to the APT Travel Group family,” she added. “We are excited to have him representing APT Travel Group and look forward to the positive impact he will have in supporting our valued agency partners.”
APT’s broader recognition in the travel sector includes eight category nominations at the 2026 National Travel Industry Awards, alongside individual nods for eight of its business development managers. APT’s Babs Baron (left) receiving her award for Most Outstanding Sales Executive in 2025 highlights the company’s strong track record in cultivating talent and driving performance. However, the focus remains on Dodkin’s role in supporting agency partners. His experience in both cruise and touring may help address the evolving needs of travel advisors who operate across multiple product lines, ensuring that APT’s support is as dynamic and responsive as the market itself.
