Who got a new gig this week? Check out this week’s travel industry movers & shakers!
1. Amadeus’ new head of Asia Pacific
Amadeus in the Asia-Pacific region has a new leader, as Albert Pozo is appointed President of the region.
The announcement comes only hours after the technology company revealed the acquisition of Netherlands-based Itesso, a provider of cloud-native property management systems.
Albert, who takes office from 3 August 2015, will direct Amadeus’ corporate strategy for Asia Pacific, focusing on distribution and new business areas such as rail, hotel, payments and venture investments.
2. New BDMs to drive McLachlan Tours growth
Industry heavyweights Justin Smythe and Jenny Bevan will lead the company’s growth plans in New South Wales and Queensland respectively, covering the entire suite of McLachlan Tours’ brands: Battlefield Tours; Amras Cruises; Discover Asia; and McLachlan Experiences.
Commenting on the appointments, McLachlan Tours’ General Manager Peter Smith said he expects the appointment to help drive the company’s growth, particularly on the Gallipoli tours.
Beyond battlefield tourism, Mr Smith noted the company’s European cruising division is going from strength to strength as a result of McLachlan Tours’ partnership with luxury cruise company Amras.
Justin brings significant relevant experience to the NSW role having operated his own business representing tour operators, cruise lines and wholesalers to the travel industry. Prior to that he held a pivotal business development and sales role with the cruise team at Harvey’s Choice Holidays in Sydney.
With more than 20 years’ experience in the travel industry, Jenny has a strong business development track record and trade contact book having run her own sales representation company for the past 14 years representing a range of airline and wholesales clients.
To complement its growing national team, McLachlan Tours is seeking a multi-line BDM based in Melbourne to identify and expand opportunities in Victoria.
3. American Express Global Business’ new CMO
American Express Global Business Travel has appointed Cindy Allen as Chief Marketing Officer.
In this role, Ms. Allen will oversee the Company’s brand positioning, marketing, product marketing and corporate communications and industry relations functions on a global level. Ms. Allen will report to GBT’s Chief Strategy Officer, Steve Curts.
Since 2013, Ms. Allen has served as Vice President, Travel Management Company (TMC) Services, at Concur, where she was responsible for establishing and growing strong relationships with Concur’s TMC partners, as well as enhancing TMC technology offerings.
Ms. Allen worked as the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer for GDSX for five years until it became part of Concur, leading product diversification, establishing the company as a global brand, and significantly growing annual revenue.
Ms. Allen began her career in 1993 as Vice President and Co-Founder of StoneEagle.com, which provided the first real-time connections between enterprise insurance administration systems and the internet. During her time at StoneEagle.com, Ms. Allen worked in a variety of functions, including technology development, sales, implementation and support, and she helped to lead the company through three major waves of industry-changing innovation.
4. New staff bring new targets to Captain Cook Cruises Fiji
Captain Cook Cruises Fiji is delighted to announce the appointments of Simon Estella as Master of the Reef Endeavour, Scott Wade as Hospitality Manager onboard the Reef Endeavour and Vanessa Young as General Manager Sales based in the Sydney Office.
Simon re-joins the Captain Cook Cruises family after previously working as a Master for the company based in Fiji on the Reef Escape in 1998 and 1999 and prior to this as Second Officer on the Reef Endeavour based in Cairns.
After leaving Captain Cook Cruises, Simon spent many years at sea in the Pacific, the Mediterranean and Caribbean. He came ashore in 2000 and has spent a number of years in the corporate world mentoring Captains and other deck officers, before he decided to return to one of his favourite places, Fiji.
Scott Wade comes to Captain Cook Cruises Fiji with an excellent background in hospitality. After completing a Bachelor of Applied science in Melbourne, Scott attended the Hilton University and held a number of positions in Hilton Hotels in Australia and Japan.
Scott is a Dive instructor and member of the Melbourne cricket club and although born in Melbourne, Scott spent many of his early years growing up in Fiji, a country he has always held close to his heart.
Experienced Senior Aviation and Travel Management Executive, Vanessa Young brings a wealth of experience and proven success in the development and execution of sales strategies across international markets and multi channels including; Retail, TMC, OTA, Corporate, Government and Inbound Tourism.
Vanessa joins Captain Cook Cruises from HRG where she held the role of General Manager Sales, prior to this Vanessa spent seven and a half years at Virgin Australia where she played a pivotal role in launching the Virgin Australia brand and executing the Game Change program to attract high yield corporate and government business to the airline. Before Virgin Australia Vanessa held the position of Director of Sales at Carlson Wagonlit Travel for over four years and prior to this had a ten year career at Qantas Airways working in a variety of sales positions including inbound tourism.
5. Q2Connect boosts team to service demand
Innovative social networking site for travel, education and lifestyle events, Q2Connect is building its team to accommodate for growing demand with the appointment of Robert Walker as Chief Technology Officer.
Robert commenced his new role on 13 July 2015, and will work closely with Co-Founders Peter and Rhanda Mansour to further enhance customer experience and usability of the platform on a consumer level.
Prior to starting at Q2Connect, Robert gained extensive knowledge and expertise at companies including Macquarie Bank. Robert has worked around the world. His most recent appointments include Singapore and Manila.
Robert is also an avid and passionate traveller and takes every opportunity to network with friends and colleagues when traveling.
Peter said he is delighted to have a professional of Robert’s calibre join the team.
The website, Q2connect.com is secure and free to use and has been developed specifically help users connect and network with other individual travelling at the same time – on the same flight, hotel, business event and more.
6. Executive changes at TTC
The Travel Corporation has made two highly significant changes within its Australian business.
Following his 16 year tenure as CEO TTC Australia, John Weeks will move to become non-executive Chairman of The Travel Corporation Pty Ltd.
Weeks will be succeeded by John Veitch, who joins the leading independent travel group after more than a decade with Flight Centre.
7. Armstrong returns to Sydney
It’s a whole lot of good news with a touch of bad news over at Royal Caribbean as the cruise line announces changes to Asia Pacific management.
Here’s the good news. Adam Armstrong, who is popular amongst trade for his creativity (and infamous ice skating skills), is coming back to Sydney.
Armstrong returns from secondment as International Commercial Director. He steps back into the role of Commercial Director Australasia & South East Asia, which is based out of the Sydney office.