Who got a new gig this week? Check out this week’s travel industry movers & shakers.
1. Malaysia Airlines appoints new Chief Commercial Officer
Malaysia Airlines Berhad has officially announced the appointment of Arved von zur Muehlen as Chief Commercial Officer effective from the 5 September 2016.
Announcing the appointment, MAB’s Chief Executive Officer Peter Bellew said, “On behalf of the management team, I am very pleased to welcome Arved to the Malaysia Airlines family.
“Arved will focus on developing a comprehensive and sustainable plan to improve Malaysia Airlines’ marketing, sales, products and customer service.”
Prior to his appointment, Arved was the Senior Vice President of Commercial Network Operations for Qatar Airways, responsible for global sales strategy and development as well as innovation and technology with a revenue target of more than USD7 billion.
Whilst there he managed the roll-out of several successful projects, including the implementation of a new internet sales platform and booking engine.
Before that he spent four years with Swiss International Airlines as Vice President Sales International where he was responsible, amongst other things, for sales and marketing across 18 online markets. Arved also spent over 15 years with Lufthansa Airlines covering a wide breadth of portfolios in revenue management, sales and marketing and left the airline as Managing Director of Greater China.
Arved, who holds a Degree in Economics from the Johann Wolfgang-Goethe University Frankfurt, takes over from current CCO, Paul Simmons who will be leaving in mid-September 2016.
2. Visit Sunshine Coast appoints new CEO
Visit Sunshine Coast Chair, Grant Hunt, announced that Simon Latchford had been appointed as the regional tourism organisation’s new Chief Executive Officer.
Mr Latchford, who has been with VSC as Director of Marketing and Strategic Partnerships for the past two years, had been acting in the role of CEO for the past 10 weeks. His appointment by the VSC Board followed a comprehensive, nationwide recruitment process.
Announcing the appointment, Chair of VSC, Grant Hunt said: “The search for a new CEO attracted an exceptional field of candidates from within Australia and overseas.
“Simon’s ability to forge strong relationships and partnerships, coupled with his innovative approach to marketing, makes him the ideal candidate to lead the organisation into the future.”
Mr Latchford has a strong background in tourism management, industry development, aviation, marketing, branding, events and special high profile projects.
He has held senior positions in the marketing and strategic development of leading destinations such as the Whitsundays, regional Victoria and formerly as the Group Marketing and Destination Development Manager for Margaret River Tourism in Western Australia.
Simon Latchford replaces Simon Ambrose, who was CEO from 2013 and played an important role in establishing the Sunshine Coast as one of Australia’s fastest growing tourism regions over the past three years. Mr Ambrose recently relocated to Melbourne where he has taken up an exciting role as CEO of the National Trust of Australia (Victoria).
3. Kevin Bowler bids farewell to Tourism NZ
It’s almost the end of an era over at Tourism New Zealand as Chief Executive of seven years, Kevin Bowler, announces his departure.
The tourism bureau’s Chair, Kerry Prendergast, confirmed this week that Bowler has submitted his resignation so that he can cross over to the beverage industry as the new New Zealand CEO of Frucor Beverages Limited.
His last day with Tourism New Zealand will be 28 October 2016.
During his seven year reign, Bowler brought the bureau into the digital world with digital-led campaigns and integrated marketing communications.
4. Magellan strengthens head office team
Magellan Travel Group has announced further appointments to strengthen their Head office team and service to existing and potential new members.
Having joined, initially on contract, David Stafford has been confirmed in an ongoing role as Commercial & Operations Manager to strengthen the commercial return for members and suppliers alike from preferred partnerships.
He will also oversee some special projects around IATA ticketing help and measurement, forecasting and management of revenue.
“David’s commercial expertise in this area is second to none and he will help our members and preferred suppliers to engage more effectively to drive benefit for both,” said Andrew Macfarlane, CEO.
And in their first Sydney based appointment Magellan has appointed Scott Darlow, formerly of Singapore Airlines and Qantas Airways, as National Manager, Magellan Corporate.
The appointments follow recent comments from Macfarlane that Magellan are chasing growth and their doors are open to new members.