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Who were this week's travel industry movers & shakers? Fri 14 Oct

Who got a new gig this week? Check out this week’s travel industry movers & shakers.

Who got a new gig this week? Check out this week’s travel industry movers & shakers.

 

 

1. Shangri-La’s Hambantota Resort & Spa announces new GM

travel industry movers

Shangri-La’s Hambantota Resort & Spa in Sri Lanka is delighted to announce that Iain McCormack has joined the Shangri-La family as the resort’s new General Manager. With a wealth of luxury hospitality experience spanning an impressive 38 years, Iain’s expertise and insight will be a valuable asset to Sri Lanka’s newest luxury opening.

Having spent extended periods of time in Asia, working with international hospitality companies such as Leading Hotels of the World and IHG, McCormack joins the new resort with an inherent understanding of what makes Asian hospitality so unique. Most recently Iain was the Consultant General Manager at Naman Retreat, in Danang Vietnam and prior to that the General Manager at InterContinental Danang, Vietnam, contributing to the resort’s multiple accolades including winning “World’s Leading Luxury Resort” in 2014 and 2015.

Opened for only three months, Shangri-La’s Hambantota has enjoyed a hugely successful soft launch, with several weekend periods already experiencing full occupancy and fantastic guest feedback to date. Both the international and local market has welcomed the addition of this unique property to Sri Lanka.

Commenting on his new position Iain enthused: “I am thrilled to join this highly anticipated new resort at such an exciting time. The Shangri-La brand is one I have long admired and its debut into Sri Lanka with Hambantota marks a momentous milestone for the company. As a passionate resort specialist I am keen to use my experience to help establish Shangri-La’s Hambantota as a must-visit resort, not only in the Indian Ocean but also globally”.

 

2. Warwick Hotels & Resorts Pacific makes two new appointments

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Warwick Hotels and Resorts – Pacific has announced the appointment of Vara Natuilagilagi as Regional Director of Sales and Marketing. In this role, Natuilagilagi is responsible for overseeing the overall strategic sales and marketing direction for six hotels and resorts in Fiji, Vanuatu and Bali, including four hospitality brands – Warwick Hotels and Resorts, Naviti, Tokatoka and Tambua Sands.

Ms Natuilagilagi served most recently as the Director of Sales and Marketing at Warwick Le Lagon – Vanuatu before being appointed to the new position and she will continue in her responsibilities of overseeing the DOSM functions in Vanuatu where she will be based.

Natuilagilagi joined Warwick Hotels and Resorts from the InterContinental Fiji Hotel after spending five years in the business development roles of MICE, Leisure, Wholesale and Marketing. Prior to joining hotels she spent nine years in Web and Graphic Design focusing on front-end development of websites gaining detailed knowledge of content management systems and e-commerce in addition to print and graphic design.

“Vara will be responsible for leading the marketing, sales and revenue functions to enhance the position of the Warwick Hotels and Resorts – Pacific and foster cohesion, impact and clarity in the marketplace for our individual properties,” said Dean Swaagman, Regional General Manager, Warwick Hotels and Resorts – Pacific.

Alongside Natuilagilagi, Roneel Singh has been appointed as Regional Revenue & Channel Manager, Warwick Hotels and Resorts – Pacific. Mr Singh will lead all top-line revenue generating efforts for the region, including channel distribution, pricing and strategy development for all segments. Singh has managed revenue for three hotels in Fiji and Vanuatu in his previous role with the InterContinental Hotels Group.

“Roneel brings an in-depth understanding of revenue management and we’re excited to have him as a talented addition to the regional team,” says Regional General Manager Dean Swaagman. “He is a strategic and resourceful revenue manager and will be instrumental in achieving targeted goals and objectives for the region. We are pleased to welcome Mr Roneel Singh and Miss Vara Natuilagilagi into their new positions.

 

3. Roger Condon joins Star Clippers

travel industry movers

Star Clippers is proud to announce and welcome Roger Condon as the new Australian Sales Manager.

Condon will be responsible for managing and increasing sales, marketing, and revenue and product development for Star Clippers nationally.

Diana Siderova, Star Clippers Australia Sales & Marketing Manager, said: “We are very excited to welcome Roger to our team. Star Clippers will benefit immensely from his years of travel, marketing and sales experience”.

Condon joins the Star Clippers team from the Cruise Division at Discover the World, representing clients including Hurtigruten Coastal Norway, Hurtigruten Explorer/Expeditions, Swan Hellenic, Voyages of Discovery, Hebridean Island Cruises plus many more. Condon served as the Manager at Discover the World, overseeing national sales, events, product development and national leadership and training of sales teams.

Condon comes to Star Clippers with over 20 years’ experience within the travel industry, in both national and international markets.  He has held several management positions at Discover the World, and management positions at Select Tours Australia where he was responsible for the sourcing new tour programs, strengthening relationships with existing providers plus overseeing the submission of proposals throughout Australia.

Condon holds a Nova Southeastern University for International Tourism and Hospitality- Customer service qualification plus various other travel and cruise industry credentials.

He said: “I am looking forward to develop the relationships and knowledge about such a popular product in the Australian market that offers the best in tall ship sailing throughout the globe.”

 

4. Azamara Club Cruises appoints as first COO

Azamara Club Cruises has appointed Bert Hernandez as the new Chief Operating Officer, commencing in the role from 31 October 2016.

For the last three years, Bert has served as Vice President of Planning, Strategy and Development for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Previously, he spent four years as Vice President of Revenue Management for Celebrity Cruises.

For Azamara Club Cruises, this is a newly-created position, which will be instrumental to the future development of the brand, according to the cruise line’s President, Larry Pimentel.

“Bert is an experienced senior executive who has played a pivotal role with RCL, as well as its brands Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean International,” he said.

“Bert has achieved excellent results in growth and expansion projects for RCL, and we look forward to applying his skills to furthering the success of our brand.”

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