Who got a new gig this week? Check out this week’s travel industry movers & shakers below or click here to check out last week’s new appointments.
1. Meet MTA’s new Head of Product
MTA – Mobile Travel Agents has announced the appointment of Ms Vanessa Whitaker as Head of Product with immediate effect.
Vanessa joins MTA with more than 30 years travel industry experience and a proven track record in product development, managing key preferred partner relationships, negotiation and contracting.
Announcing the appointment, MTA CEO, Don Beattie said Vanessa was an outstanding candidate in a very high calibre field of applicants for the position.
Her experience includes a General Manager – Travel role with Byron Bay-based TripADeal, Sales Manager (QLD) at Airtickets, BDM for the Jetset Travelworld Network and Regional Sales Manager for Globus Tours.
“Vanessa will be involved in all aspects of MTA’s overall product delivery,” Mr Beattie said.
“We are delighted to have Vanessa on board the MTA team as we continue to strengthen and step up our product offerings to our nationally-spread MTA Members.
“Her vast experience and high profile in the travel industry will have a major impact on what we aim to achieve for the benefit of our Members moving forward.”
2. Meet Helloworld Travel’s new National Sales Manager
Helloworld Travel Limited is delighted to announce that Steve Brady, currently National Manager in the Helloworld Travel associate network, has been appointed National Sales Manager for Wholesale Australia.
Steve has been in his current role for the past two and a half years and prior to that was with Insider Journeys for over ten years.
During his time in the associate network Steve has been integral in the strategic direction and management of the network as well as being central to the successful re-sign process with franchise members. He will be working across the Australian suite of Wholesale brands including Qantas Holidays, Viva! Holidays, Sunlover Holidays, Rail Tickets, Ready Rooms, The Cruise Team, Territory Discoveries, Seven Oceans Cruising and Insider Journeys.
“Steve brings with him a wealth of knowledge and applicable skills from both a retail and wholesale sales area and we have no doubt he will be a great asset to our team,” said Gregory Lording Group General Manager Wholesale.
“Our sales team is now the largest dedicated wholesale team in the country delivering expert knowledge and support across all our brands,” he added.
Head of Corporate, Associate and Affiliate Networks David Padman wished Steve all the best in his new role. “It’s great to see Steve moving into this important area of the business and we wish him every success.”
Steve will commence in the role on Monday 4 September and will be based in Sydney, replacing David Green who departs the role in mid-August to return to the UK.
3. Meet AccorHotels’ new Hotel GMs
Kristy Stanton joins Hotel Tall Trees Canberra.
AccorHotels is pleased to announce the following new appointments in Australia and New Zealand:
Kristy Stanton has been appointed General Manager, Hotel Tall Trees Canberra. Kristy joined AccorHotels in December 2010 on an AccorHotels cadetship and completed her degree of Bachelor of Business and Commerce (Hospitality Management) in 2012. After working in various Front Office roles at Pullman Sydney Olympic Park, Kristy then moved to Novotel Sydney Manly Pacific as Assistant Manager. In 2014, Kristy was accepted into the AccorHotels’ Executive Leadership Program in which she graduated from last year. In June 2016, Kristy was assigned her first General Manager position at ibis Budget Sydney Olympic Park where she has remained since.
Janine Livingston has been appointed General Manager, at the newly opened ibis Styles Hobart. Janine has over 30 years’ experience within the hospitality industry and first joined AccorHotels in February 2008 as Financial Controller at Mercure Hobart. In 2013 Janine transitioned into her first General Manager position at Mercure Hobart which then changed ownership to Best Western where Janine has remained since.
Marty Lamont joins ibis Budget.
Marty Lamont has been appointed Cluster General Manager, ibis Budget NSW/ACT. Marty joined AccorHotels in June 2008 when he was accepted as a Graduate Management Trainee for ibis Wellington. Since February 2011, Marty has worked across various Front Office roles throughout New Zealand, Scotland and Australia before accepting his most recent position as Rooms Division Manager at ibis Sydney Darling Harbour in March 2015.
David Criss has been appointed General Manager, The William Inglis Hotel, MGallery by Sofitel, tasked with opening the new-build hotel in March 2018. David began his career with AccorHotels in 1996 as Executive Assistant Manager at Mercure & ibis Hotels Brisbane before receiving his first General Manager appointment at Novotel Rockford Darling Harbour in 2000. He later progressing to General Manager positions at Novotel Brisbane, Novotel Sydney Brighton Beach and Mercure St Leonards. David departed the company in 2008 to take on the role of Managing Director at Rafferty’s Resort. AccorHotels is thrilled to welcome David back to spearhead the opening of this new iconic hotel.
Rebecca Davis has been appointed General Manager, Wilpena Pound Resort. Rebecca joined AccorHotels in August 2008 when she was accepted into the Accor Graduate Management Program at Novotel Darling Harbour. In February 2010, Rebecca became Assistant Manager at Novotel Canberra before moving to her most recent role as Front Office Manager at ibis Styles Canberra Eagle Hawk in September 2014.
Catherine Fitzpatrick has been appointed General Manager, ibis Budget Dubbo. Catherine joined the AccorHotels network in 2006, and spent the last 11 years working across various Front Office roles at Pullman Magenta Shores Resort. This will be Catherine’s first General Manager appointment.
Zayne Boon has been appointed General Manager, Novotel Darwin CBD. Zayne commenced his career with AccorHotels in October 1994 as General Manager, Mercure Grand Apartments Darling Harbour. From 1996, Zayne held numerous General Manager positions in New South Wales and South Australia, before moving to New Zealand in March 2006 as Area General Manager for Wellington. Zayne continued to progress his career within Area Manager and Regional General Manager roles throughout New Zealand, before accepting a General Manager position at Novotel Bangkok in July 2012. Since March 2014, Zayne has continued to hold Area General Manager roles with the Pullman Brand throughout Southern Vietnam, Thailand and Kuala Lumpur.
Imran Changezi joins Sofitel Melbourne on Collins.
Paul Lindsay has been appointed General Manager, ibis Budget Windsor. Paul joined AccorHotels in August 2001 at ibis Sydney Airport and advanced his career through a mixture of food and beverage opportunities within the Australian Hospitality Industry. Since August 2016, Paul has been a relief General Manager across a multitude of Australian ibis Budget Hotels, in particular ibis Budget St Peters and ibis Budget Coffs Harbour.
Jaideep Bhardwaj has been appointed General Manager, ibis Budget Perth Airport. Jaideep worked with a variety of hotel brands in India including Le Meridien, Sheraton and Hilton, before relocating to Australia in August 2011 where he worked as Night Manager at ibis Perth. Since then, Jaideep has held key operational roles in a number of AccorHotels’ properties in Western Australia, including ibis Styles Karratha and most recently ibis Styles Kalgoorlie.
John Armstrong has been appointed General Manager, Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort. John first joined AccorHotels in March 2004 as Operations Manager, Mercure Grand Chalet before moving to the UK in July 2006 after accepting a position as Operations Manager at Novotel London Heathrow Airport. In June 2008, John was appointment his first General Manager position at Mercure Banbury, where he remained until February 2011 before moving to Novotel Wolverhampton. In August 2016, John returned to Australia to take on his most recent role of General Manager, Novotel Darwin CBD.
Imran Changezi has been appointed Hotel Manager, Sofitel Melbourne on Collins. Imran joins Sofitel Melbourne on Collins from Four Seasons Hotel at Nile Plaza, Cairo, where he was Hotel Manager for over a year. Imran has over 15 years’ experience in high-end luxury hotels and resorts across various properties in Jumeirah Group whilst alternating various destinations including Dubai, London and Baku.
4. Meet Outrigger’s Vice President of Sales & Marketing
Outrigger Hotels and Resorts has appointed Mr. Andrew Gee as vice president sales and marketing, Asia Pacific.
Since 2014, Gee has been regional director of sales and marketing, Australia and New Zealand based in the Sydney sales office. Prior to this he was director of sales and marketing, Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort, a position he held for more than 13 years.
Before joining Outrigger, he was director of sales – inbound (international) for the Intercontinental Hotel Group.
Gee began his hospitality industry career as a travel consultant with Thomas Cook Travel in Sydney followed by seven years as the marketing manager at Taronga Park Zoo, Sydney, where he went on to win the New South Wales Young Achiever in Tourism Award. This resulted in a scholarship to the University of Hawai‘i where he earned an executive diploma in tourism.
Gee was responsible for establishing the Australian regional sales and marketing office for Outrigger Resorts in Sydney, with the key responsibility to drive Australian and New Zealand business and marketing activities for all outbound Outrigger properties.
Gee has built a highly motivated sales and administration team and in 2015, managed the company’s first-ever Outrigger Global Showcase trade event throughout Australia and New Zealand with a second showcase staged in March 2017.
5. Meet Nanuku Auberge Resort Fiji’s new Activities Supervisor & Gym Instructor
High profile Fijian Olympian, Commonwealth and Pacific Games medallist, Sisilia ‘Cece’ Naisiga Rasokisoki has been appointed activities supervisor and gym Instructor at Nanuku Auberge Resort Fiji.
Effective immediately Sisilia will manage all aspects of the Pacific Harbour resort’s activities program which includes yoga and Zumba classes.
A former Fijian ‘sportswoman of the year’, Sisilia needs no introduction to the local scene having travelled all over the world to represent her country in Judo at several major events.
These include the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games where she won a Bronze medal in the 70kg class.
In 2004 she represented Fiji at the Athens Olympic Games and has also won gold medals for her country competing in the South Pacific Games and Oceania and South Pacific Tournaments.
Welcoming Cece to the Nanuku Auberge Resort family general manager, Sascha Hemmann said she would play a key role in helping to enhance the resort’s overall client service delivery.
6. Meet Oaks Hotels & Resorts’ new Hotel GM
Leading accommodation provider, Oaks Hotels & Resorts, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Paolo Gambino as the new General Manager of its Northern Territory property, Oaks Elan Darwin, effective immediately.
Mr Gambino brings with him a wealth of travel industry knowledge, having held various senior positions across both the Tropical North Queensland region, and most recently Darwin, such as a Director of Sales and Marketing as well as Hotel General Manager, making for over 20 years of tourism-specific experience.
Prior to his appointment with Oaks Hotels & Resorts, Mr Gambino worked with some of the region’s leading hoteliers and tour operators, including Quicksilver Connections, Pacific International Hotel, Green Island Resort, Cairns Plaza Hotel and the H Hotel, Darwin.
This extensive cross-section of experience has also seen Mr Gambino sit on the National Board of the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) for almost three years, as well as Chair of the local ATEC Committee for five years, prior to his move to Darwin.
Mr Gambino is also fluent in Italian and Japanese, which will undoubtedly be of great benefit when communicating with the significant number of international guests that choose to stay at the property.
Mr Gambino’s new role with Oaks Elan Darwin will ensure the premier Northern Territory property continues to deliver on its key performance objectives in a highly competitive market well into the future.
7. Meet Tramada’s new Country Manager
Tramada Systems announced the appointment of Susan Enners as Country Manager, Australia and New Zealand.
This is a new and exciting role for Tramada and recognises Tramada’s ongoing investment in the Australian and New Zealand markets. Tramada is the leading travel technology provider to corporate, leisure, and broker agents in both countries. The maturity of the product and expansion of the company has led to a number of new senior appointments.
Tramada’s Chief Executive Officer, Ms Jo O’Brien, is delighted to welcome Susan to lead the region’s business, taking responsibility for the sales, account management, marketing and solutions team. Ms Enners will commence recruitment for a number of these roles in the coming weeks.
In welcoming Susan, Ms O’Brien said “Susan is very well known and respected in the industry, largely for her nine years at American Express Corporate Card where she managed the Travel Agency Partnerships, and for her recent experience as Director, Supplier Relations at BCD Travel. She is uniquely positioned to deliver outstanding results for our customers and consolidate our market-leading position.”