Robb will join Tui on July 1 and will target driving the mainstream division’s digital marketing and “growing the group’s position as a leading digital business”.

Nick Longman, managing director of distribution and online for Tui’s mainstream sector, said: “Digital marketing is core to our digital and online modernisation strategy.  It is therefore important that we have the very best people in the business to make sure we capitalise on the opportunities available to us.

“Dan brings with him a wealth of experience and is uniquely placed to ensure we get the most out of our relationship both with Google and other leading digital companies.”

Robb said: “I am delighted to be joining Tui Travel. The group is at an exciting point in its digital journey and I look forward to bringing my experience to the team and helping to further drive its digital growth.

“While I will miss Google and the great team we have in Google Travel, this is a fantastic opportunity and I look forward to joining in July.”

Robb has worked at Google for the last nine years, leading the development and growth of the search engine giant’s travel team. Before that, he worked at Associated News for seven years.

Robin Frewer, director of travel and finance at Google, said: “Dan has made a fantastic contribution and has played an important role in educating the industry over the past nine years. This is an opportunity for him and also reflects Tui’s understanding that digital will become ever more important for their business.

“Dan will challenge the Tui business and encourage it to move at a greater pace.”

Frewer said that he had previously hosted Tui Travel chief executive Peter Long and mainstream managing director Johan Lundgren at Google’s head office in San Francisco, as the travel giant looked to develop its digital strategy.

And he confirmed that Ru Roberts had been appointed internally as Robb’s replacement: “There are always succession plans in place at Google, and Ru will be heading up our ‘holidays team’ and leading our relationships with the tour operators. Dan is a senior member of the team, but we have some excellent people in place and some new faces coming in to ensure there is a seamless transition.”