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Club Med leaders ready to fly higher, Harding and Davies promoted

Club Med has announced a series of personnel promotions across its Asia Pacific business which it says are designed to strengthen the brand within the region and beyond.

Club Med has announced a series of personnel promotions across its Asia Pacific business which it says are designed to strengthen the brand within the region and beyond.

Renowned travel industry leader Rachael Harding has been appointed as Club Med CEO of East, South Asia & Pacific (ESAP) and Michelle Davies as Club Med General Manager of the Pacific, both effective immediately.

Club Med says the new ESAP business unit will come into effect on July 1 to provide an extra layer of functional support to bolster the region.

The changes are in response to the growth of APAC before the pandemic, and consequent demand for domestic resorts throughout the last year, especially in China, which also gains its own business unit to support its ambitious growth strategy.

Rachael Harding
Rachael Harding, Club Med CEO of East, South Asia & Pacific (ESAP)

As Club Med ESAP CEO, Harding will be relocating to Shanghai and be responsible for all ESAP commercial markets to drive an aggressive rebound while seeking new emerging market opportunities within the region.

Reporting directly to Club Med President Henri Giscard D’Estaing, and with the Pacific still in her remit, Harding will ensure this region is fully supported with a louder voice on the global stage.

Harding has an impressive record of leadership with Club Med as General Manager of the Pacific for the past three years where she saw the region successfully execute its premium growth strategy, established successful trade partnerships and is most proud of the entire team winning the National Travel Industry Awards (NTIA) ‘Best Hotel/Resort Group’ in 2018 and 2019.

A new General Manager for Australia and the Pacific

Michelle Davies
Michelle Davies, Club Med General Manager, Pacific

Rising to the position of Club Med General Manager of the Pacific, Michelle Davies will lead all aspects of the commercial office across Sales, Marketing, Pricing, Human Resources and Finance.

Davies most recently served as Head of Marketing of the Pacific, where she led the team through the pandemic while nurturing local talent in preparation for a strong rebound. Prior to this role, Davies spent five years as Club Med Marketing Director for the UK & Nordics.

“Davies was an integral part of the UK & Nordics market success, contributing to their record sales by anchoring Club Med as a leader in the all-inclusive ski market, while successfully driving the brand’s upscale and premium positioning, which is critical to the Pacific’s future success. Davies’ valued contribution to the brand across the Pacific, UK & Nordics makes her the absolute right choice to lead the Pacific out of this crisis and back to double-digit growth,” says Harding.

Davies ensures there will be a seamless transition with Club Med partners who are at the heart of all decisions. “I’m honoured to be named General Manager of the Pacific and I’m looking forward to using my experience to accelerate the growth of this region as part of our rebound strategy,” says Davies.

“Club Med Pacific provides a significant contribution to the brand globally. In 2019, this region was the biggest growth market and contributed 25% of the East, South Asia & Pacific business. These sales exceeded those of when we had a domestic resort – Club Med Lindeman Island.”

“Looking ahead, the future is bright for the Australia and New Zealand travel rebound mostly due to pent up demand. In our 2021 Club Med Travel Index, 86% of respondents said they would book an international holiday within 6 months of the borders opening and 83% would receive the covid vaccine if it was compulsory to be able to travel.

“With trade representing a high weight of our sales, we know our partners are essential to our rebound strategy.”

As part of its trade-specific strategy, Club Med announced the hire of Lisa Bacon into the newly created position of Club Med Head of Sales of the Pacific in February this year. Bacon is tasked with jointly growing and nurturing Club Med’s Trade and MICE partnerships.

Lisa Bacon
Lisa Bacon, Club Med Head of Sales, Pacific

Bacon has been a tremendous asset in leading the sales team through initiatives aimed at supporting agents during the pandemic, such as the launch of Club Med Connect, National Roadshows.

“The team and I are committed to our trade partners and are proud to have our sales team on the road to provide support to agents with tailored approaches to meet their specific needs,” says Bacon. “We know each business will rebound differently once the borders open. That’s why myself and the team are here to help support agents as and when they need it.” Said Bacon.

Harding says, “It’s an exciting time for Club Med in the Pacific, which has attracted such a talented team of female leaders who are driving fresh ideas and great culture during the most challenging time for the travel industry, which not only reinforces Club Med’s future but is reflective of the resilience of the Australian and New Zealand market.”