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MOVERS & SHAKERS: Meet G Adventures' new Director of Sales, Wendy Wu's new GM & more

It’s been a big week in the travel industry with people moving up and on from previous positions into new and exciting gigs, we call them our movers & shakers.

It’s been a big week in the travel industry with people moving up and on from previous positions into new and exciting gigs, we call them our movers & shakers.

So, find out who got a new gig this week by checking out this week’s travel industry movers & shakers below or clicking here to check out last week’s new appointments.

 

1. Meet Wendy Wu Tours’ new GM for Australia

Screen Shot 2017-12-14 at 2.48.18 PM

Wendy Wu has announced the appointment of Steve Richards as General Manager for the Australian business.

Based in Sydney, Richards will lead the award-wining company, now entering its 24th year of successful op-erations. In 2017, Wendy Wu Tours won the NTIA Award for Best Specialty Wholesaler, and is experiencing a monumental trajectory of growth.

Richards joins the Wendy Wu Tours team with 16 years of experience in the industry, most recently as Head of Commercial at Best Western Australasia. In this role, Richards spearheaded the commercial strate-gy, doubling the size of the business within 3 years, and driving value through digital transformation of the business.

Richards’ extensive biography also includes positions as General Manager – Sales & Marketing at Best Western, State Sales Manager NSW/ACT at AAT Kings, and National Sales Manager at Inspiring Journeys.

Speaking on his appointment, Richards said: “It is an incredibly exciting time to be joining Wendy Wu. The company has gone through rapid transformation over the past few years. The focus has been on technologi-cal improvements and enhancing our digital presence, whilst remaining strong on customer service and providing exceptional product. Our strong relationship with trade partners is a key strategy in getting us to even greater heights. Together, we will work to share the wonders of Asia with Australian travellers.”

Group CEO Joe Karbo says: “I am very excited to welcome Steve to lead Wendy Wu in Australia. His track record of growth is exceptional, and with Steve at the helm, I anticipate even stronger relationships with our trade partners, driving revenues through both consortia and independent retail agents.”

Richards will commence his role as General Manager of Wendy Wu Tours Australia imminently, reporting directly into Group CEO Joe Karbo.

 

2. Meet G Adventures’ new Director of Sales

G Adventures Ingrid

G Adventures has announced an expansion to its Australian leadership team, with the appointment of Ingrid Kocrijan as Director of Sales for the Australia and New Zealand, starting from 2 January.

Having worked in the Australian and New Zealand travel industry for over 10 years as Assistant Sales & Marketing Manager at Rail Plus Australia, Australasia Manager for Rail Europe and most recently as Commercial Director at Rail Plus, Ingrid brings a wealth of industry knowledge to the role.

As Director of Sales, a newly appointed role for the region, Ingrid joins National Sales Manager Matt Drummond, as well as a team of Global Purpose Specialists (GPS’s), whose collective focus is to provide outreach, education and sales support for the Australian and New Zealand travel trade.

“I’m excited to be joining such a purpose-driven company, and one that is committed to changing people’s lives through the power of travel,” said Ingrid.

“Travel Agents are pivotal to G Adventures’ company mission, and I look forward to helping our travel peers and partners learn more about this amazing company.”

Australia and New Zealand Managing Director, Adrian Piotto, looks forward to welcoming Ingrid to the G Adventures’ team in Melbourne in early 2018.

“Ingrid has a proven track record of growing sales through trade relationships. She brings an impressive knowledge of the industry, strategic vision coupled with extensive sales and marketing experience into the G Adventures business.”

“As a business, we have continued to see significant growth across the Australian and New Zealand region, and through the appointment of Ingrid as Director of Sales, we plan on further cementing our commitment to our valued travel trade community.”

 

3. Meet Cover-More Group’s new National Account Manager

Specialist, integrated travel insurance and medical assistance provider, Cover-More Group, has appointed Nathan Burke to the role of National Account Manager, effective immediately.

In his role, Burke will be responsible for supporting Cover-More’s agency sales channel, working closely with the trade on product development, incentive and reward activity, and improving insurance conversion and aggregate insurance revenues.

Burke joins Cover-More Group from Etihad Airways where he was a National Account Manager for the past six years. He has more than 15 years experience in the travel and tourism industries, working at Qantas prior to Etihad.

On the appointment, Cover-More Group General Manager, APAC Sales & Marketing, Michael Stein commented: “I’m thrilled Nathan has joined our team. He’s a seasoned professional and brings with him considerable sales expertise and knowledge of our agency and partner markets.”

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