Who got a new gig this week? Check out this week’s travel industry movers & shakers.
1. Thomas Schwall appointed GM of St. Regis Langkawi
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Southeast Asia has announced the appointment of Thomas Schwall as General Manager of The St. Regis Langkawi.
A French national, Thomas Schwall will oversee all management functions and hotel operations at this new property. He brings a wealth of hospitality industry experience to the position and joins after completing a successful four years tenure in New Caledonia where he opened the Sheraton Deva Golf & Spa Resort in the French Pacific as General Manager.
In this challenging leadership role, he is responsible for all day-to-day operational functions.
Thomas Schwall began his career in hospitality with a culinary arts apprenticeship based in Paris as well as working in various fine dining venues over Europe, some of which with Michelin-awarded chefs, as well as Maître Ds.
An M.B.A graduate in Hospitality Management with Cornell University and ESSEC Business School, he later moved into catering, where he gained insight on operational cost structure planning and restaurants development for the Accounting and Sales departments.
In 2002, Thomas joined Starwood Hotels and Resorts first as a Quality Management Coordinator at the Costa Smeralda Luxury Collection complex of four resorts in Sardinia, Italy, following the Six Sigma projects. He later completed his Executive Management Trainee programme at The Westin Excelsior and The St. Regis Rome, Italy.
Thomas moved to the United States where he then joined the legendary founding St. Regis New York in 2005 for three years where he became Front Office Manager. He then joined the Sheraton on the Park in Sydney, Australia, where he took over the Rooms Division and later ensured the smooth running of the 557 rooms property as Executive Assistant Manager over the course of the three years there.
Thomas had a tenure at The St. Regis Singapore as Hotel Manager before moving to the French Pacific, New Caledonia, in 2011 for the opening of the 180 rooms Sheraton New Caledonia Deva Golf & Spa Resort.
2. MTA announces key social media specialist appointment
MTA – Mobile Travel Agents has boosted its overall social media delivery with the appointment of specialist Karla Briski.
Announcing the appointment, MTA CEO, Don Beattie said Karla would be working closely with MTA Marketing & Communications Manager, Michelle Graham in further establishing and building on the company’s social media presence.
Her role will also include providing much needed support and advice to all MTA Members to ensure continuity in keeping with MTA’s social media-related brand guidelines.
Karla holds a BA in business, majoring in marketing and management with experience in photography and design.
Prior to joining MTA, she was employed as Digital Channel Manager – Social Media at Village Roadshow Theme Parks.
3. CTM appoints new PR, Media and Communications Manager
Sydney-based Marketing representation company Complete Travel Marketing is pleased to welcome Miss Carly Dolphin to its team as PR, Media and Communications Manager.
The appointment follows former PR, Media and Communications Manager Lena Froelich’s departure from the company in early July.
Carly joins Complete Travel Marketing with over 10 years of experience in PR, communications and marketing with over seven years in the tourism and hospitality industry, most recently with AccorHotels where she looked after marketing for midscale brands Novotel and Mercure, in the position of Brand Manager – Midscale. Prior to AccorHotels, Carly worked for Royal Caribbean Cruises and Club Med. Carly has a great passion for travel and considers South East Asia as one of her favourite areas to travel to.
Carly will be working with Mr Charlie Ridout and Mr Jonathan Milburn, Directors and co-founders of the company.
Jonathan Milburn, Director and co-founder of Complete Travel Marketing said ‘Carly is a perfect fit for the role of PR, Media and Communications Manager with Complete Travel Marketing. She joins us with a wealth of knowledge gained from her experience in the travel and hospitality industry, ranging from the marketing and communications for all-inclusive international resorts, midscale locally based hotels to cruise lines.’
Carly Dolphin began her role with Complete Travel Marketing on the 25 July 2016.
4. Destination NSW appoints new Business Development Manager in China
Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer Sandra Chipchase announced today that Ms Michelle Fu has been appointed as Business Development Manager, Western China to help promote Australia’s premier tourism and events State to Chinese visitors.
“I am delighted to announce that Ms Michelle Fu will be taking up this key position for Destination NSW to further increase visitation to NSW from our largest inbound market, China,” Ms Chipchase said.
“Based in Chengdu, Ms Fu will be responsible to further develop and grow the Western China market and will work closely with Destination NSW’s airline, wholesale, retail and online travel agent partners in Western China.
“Our expansion in China plays a critical role in helping us contribute to our goal of doubling overnight visitor expenditure to NSW by 2020.
“In the year ended March 2016, visitors from China spent $2.6 billion in NSW. These extraordinary figures are a reflection of the work we are currently doing as the State’s tourism and major events agency, to ensure China remains our number one market for international visitors to Sydney and Regional NSW.”
Ms Fu said she was delighted to accept the Business Development Manager role with Destination NSW and the opportunity to help grow tourism nights and expenditure from China for NSW.
“I am delighted to be starting with Destination NSW and look forward to promoting one of the world’s best visitor destinations with the global city of Sydney and the beautiful surrounding regions of New South Wales to potential Chinese visitors,” Ms Fu said.
Prior to joining Destination NSW, Ms Fu was the Marketing Manager at AirAsia X, where she contributed to growing the outbound market from the Western China region.
Ms Michelle Fu will commence at Destination NSW in Chengdu on Monday 25 July, 2016.
5. Star Ratings Australia appoints Sarah McCully as General Manager
Star Ratings Australia has strengthened its offering with the announcement of Sarah McCully as General Manager. Ms McCully will lead the independent accommodation rating provider as it maintains its position as one of the most widely recognised and trusted symbols of quality accommodation standards in the world.
McCully, who was previously General Manager – Park Acquisition and Support Services at BIG4 Holiday Parks, brings 20 years’ experience to Star Ratings and will focus on reinforcing the value of Star Ratings to both accommodation providers and consumers.
McCully believes Star Ratings provides a valuable industry benchmark and hopes to see a consistent approach to accommodation ratings in Australia.
Michael Reed, CEO of the Australian Motoring Services Group says McCully’s unique combination of marketing and tourism experience will be a valuable asset to the Star Ratings team.