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Movers + Shakers: The Travel Corporation unveils realigned ANZ leadership as CEO Dave Hosking retires

Following 104 years of Tollman family ownership, The Travel Corporation’s new owners have announced a 'realignment' of its Australia and New Zealand leadership team as longtime CEO Dave Hosking steps down.

Following 104 years of Tollman family ownership, The Travel Corporation’s new owners have announced a ‘realignment’ of its Australia and New Zealand leadership team as longtime CEO Dave Hosking steps down.

Beginning November 1, 2024, Toni Ambler will lead The Travel Corporation (TTC) Tour Brands Oceania as Managing Director, marking a new era for the Australia and New Zealand region.

After 40 years at The Travel Corporation, Dave Hosking is retiring. His role as CEO will not be replaced in Australia and New Zealand.

Reporting directly to Melissa DaSilva, Interim CEO of TTC Tour Brands, and with a dotted line to newly appointed UK-based Chairman Carl Leaver, Ambler will spearhead regional engagement, strategic trade relations, and market engagement under a new vision.

“These changes will help position TTC for continued success as we enhance our focus on local leadership, strong trade partnerships, and strategic alignment across our Australia and New Zealand region,” Ambler noted in a media release.

Reporting shifts for AAT Kings Group and Adventure World

With the changes, Ben Hall, CEO of AAT Kings Group, and Neil Rodgers, Managing Director of Adventure World, will now report to Alastair Campbell, TTC’s Interim CEO of Specialist and Adventure Brands, based in the UK. Campbell, a seasoned TTC executive with a background as Co-Founder and Managing Director of Radical Travel Group and Global Executive Director at Contiki Holidays, brings robust experience to this strategic role.

The alignment under Campbell’s guidance is designed to offer additional focus and expertise to TTC’s specialist and adventure brands, ensuring they resonate well within their unique markets.

Meanwhile, Alice Ager, Managing Director of Uniworld, will continue her existing reporting line to Uniworld CEO Ellen Bettridge.

As part of TTC’s forward-looking strategy, Scott Cleaver, formerly Director of Commercial Industry Relations ANZ, based in Auckland, has accepted a secondment to TTC’s global team.

Reporting directly to Interim CEO Melissa DaSilva, Cleaver will focus on a global sales project for TTC Touring Brands, marking a substantial career opportunity. His current ANZ responsibilities will transition to Toni Ambler and her expanded team, ensuring continuity within the local market.

An uplifting farewell for Dave Hosking

DavidHosking Cake

Reflecting on his almost 40-year tenure at The Travel Corporation and the recent success of TTC brands at the National Travel Industry Awards (NTIA), Hosking expressed confidence in TTC’s future.

“I can’t think of a better farewell than to see how much our brands are valued by the Australian travel community. With such a capable and dedicated local leadership team, I know TTC’s industry presence and trade relationships will only strengthen over time,” he said, underscoring the enduring legacy he leaves behind.

Hosking’s perspective, passion and genuine care for the sector and its people will be missed by the travel industry at large, including us here at Karryon. We wish him all the best for the future.

Who are TTC’s new owners?

Apollo travel corporation

In what was a landmark deal announced In July, U.S. Private Equity company Apollo and The Travel Corporation (TTC) revealed a definitive agreement for Apollo-managed funds to acquire the vertically integrated business.

This monumental acquisition, which encompasses renowned TTC brands such as Trafalgar, Adventure World, Contiki, Insight Vacations, and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, marked a historic transition and the end of the Tollman family-owned company’s century-plus legendary journey.

Founded in 1990 and headquartered in New York, Apollo is one of the leading asset management firms globally and has a proven history of providing businesses with capital solutions for growth. Its investment expertise spans a wide range of sectors, including real estate, infrastructure, and private equity.

Known for its innovative approach to investing, its portfolio includes investments in the travel industry, such as its previous ownership of companies like Diamond Resorts (which Apollo sold to Hilton) and its current stake in Expedia Group.

Apollo, in collaboration with Silver Lake Partners, acquired its stake in Expedia Group in 2020 during the pandemic. This investment amounted to US$1.2 billion, providing a significant liquidity boost to Expedia amid the travel industry’s downturn. The strategic partnership allowed Apollo and Silver Lake to secure preferred stock in Expedia, giving them influence without outright control.

While the financial terms of the TTC deal have not been disclosed, it was confirmed in July that certain brands from TTC’s portfolio of 40 brands, such as The Red Carnation Hotel Collection, would not be included in the sale.

Travel Corporation Chairman-elect Carl Leaver is scheduled to visit Australia in mid-November to engage directly with the ANZ team and provide further insights into TTC’s vision for the region.