Who got a new gig this week? Check out this week’s travel industry movers & shakers!
1. Travellers Choice appoints first Digital Supervisor
Travellers Choice marks a new milestone in the implementation of its digital marketing strategy with the appointment of Swati Vaghjiani as the company’s first Digital Services Supervisor.
Vaghjiani, who originally joined Travellers Choice in February 2015 as a Digital Marketing Coordinator, brings enormous experience to her new role, having worked for more than 11 years’ with digital marketing agencies in Australia and the UK where she consulted to industries as diverse as oil/gas, construction, property and retail.
Immediately before joining Travellers Choice Vaghjiani, a Canadian national who grew up in Alberta and moved to Perth six years ago, was a senior account manager with the Vivid Group (now part of Isobar), a national full-service digital agency specialising in digital marketing, web design and systems integration services.
In her new role, she is responsible for managing the evolution of Travellers Choice’s digital marketing strategy, including the ongoing development of the Travellers Choice website, enhancement of the company’s database marketing system TC Direct, and the creation of additional digital support services for member shareholders.
Travellers Choice Chief Executive Christian Hunter says the decision to create the Digital Services Supervisor role reflects the company’s determination to remain a digital marketing leader in the retail travel sector.
2. InterContinental welcomes new director of food & beverage
Marseille born Spaniard Roberto Salicio has commenced his role as Director of Food & Beverage at InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort.
Bringing with him a wealth of international experience, Roberto joins the resort from his role of Food & Beverage Director at the Majestic Hotel and Spa in Barcelona; and previous role of Deputy Food & Beverage Manager at The Dorchester London.
Resort General Manager Monique Harmer is thrilled to have Roberto as part of her team.
With a passion for creating new products and exclusive new food & beverage concepts, Roberto is looking forward to working closely with Executive Chef Parashuram Pathak and his team to continue to evolve the existing five star offer.
3. A growing team over at Centara Hotels & Resorts
As part of the growing sales team, Centara Hotels & Resorts would like to welcome Popo Hartopo as Group Director of Sales for Pacific Region (Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Indonesia & Bed Banks) and Bradley Taylor as the Director of Sales for the Maldives and Sri Lanka.
Popo Hartopo brings with him a wealth of knowledge about the Centara product from his previous experience as Product Manager with Flight Centre Travel Group in Sydney, Australia. Hartopo also held the position of Product Manager at The Travel Spirit Group in Sydney, Australia.
Previously to joining Centara, Hartopo worked in Bangkok as the Director of Sales & Marketing for Phuket Graceland Resorts & Spa and SENTIDO Graceland Khao Lak Resort & Spa.
Bradley Taylor, Director of Sales for the Maldives and Sri Lanka started his career in 2007 at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Sri Lanka as the Sales & Marketing Manager.
He then moved to GoVacation Sri Lanka where he was the Head of Product and Sales from 2013 to 2015 before joining the corporate sales team at Centara.
As Centara continues grow, the need for greater attention in key markets has spurred the expansion of the sales team in the corporate office as well as in the international offices.
4. Accor Plus Asia Pacific gets a new CEO
Dino Mezzatesta has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Accor Plus Asia Pacific, AccorHotels’ travel, dining and lifestyle program.
He joined AccorHotels in March 2005 as Director of Sales & Marketing for The Menzies Hotel in Sydney. He then moved to Ibis Sydney Airport where he spent almost two years as General Manager.
In March 2008, Dino moved to the AccorHotels’ Sydney regional office where he spent the last seven years leading the franchise operations for Australia and New Zealand, whilst also playing a key role in the implementation of the group’s strata business and integration of the strategic Mirvac acquisition.
Dino most recently held the position of Vice President Franchise Operations, overseeing a portfolio of over 70 hotels. In his new role, Dino will bring his sales and management experience to Accor Plus and continue to nurture the entrepreneurial spirit which remains the basis of the success of Accor Plus over the last 21 years.
Accor Plus is a paid membership program of AccorHotels, enabling members to enjoy exclusive discounts and benefits at more than 600 hotels and 800 restaurants across the region. Dino will oversee the program across 17 participating countries.
He replaces Louise Daley, former CEO of Accor Plus who has now been promoted to the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer AccorHotels Asia Pacific.
5. Three key appointments Primus Hotel Sydney
Primus Hotel Sydney has made three key front of house appointments including a new GM, Director Food & Beverage and a Director of Rooms.
The redeveloped property will be led by General Manager Grant Middleton, who has more than 26 years of global hospitality experience. Grant will oversee the highly dedicated and driven team servicing the 172 room hotel, providing the highest level of personal service to guests.
Working alongside Middleton is Director of Food and Beverage, Sam Bidwell, and Director of Rooms, Chris Stedman. Sam will draw on 18 years of globetrotting experience to ensure the hotel’s key offerings, including High Tea in the grand lobby bar, are run at international five star levels. As well, Chris’s intimate knowledge of high-end hotels will be key to delivering understated luxury and comfort to all the guests.
Grant Middleton has 26 years’ experience working in hotels across the UK, Asia and Australasia. Born in New Zealand, his hospitality career started with Southern Suns in South Africa before working for two years as Hotel Manager with Radisson Blu Sydney and then almost three years as General Manager Radisson Hotel and Suites in Sydney.
Sam brings with him 18 years of experience in hospitality and 12 years in management positions. His industry training took him to London, where he worked for acclaimed hospitality businesses such as Firmdale Hotels and The Greyhound at Battersea.
Returning to Sydney, he assisted with the re-launch of Sails on Lavender Bay as Restaurant Manager while consulting on the wine list for Tomislav restaurant. Both achieved one-hat status during his time working with them. Sam was also Restaurant Manager at two-hatted Pilu at Freshwater for over 3 years.
Chris has two decades of high-end hospitality experience. Born in New South Wales, and proficient in Japanese, he cut his teeth with 8 years as a manger at the Hilton in both Sydney and London before spending another 8 years as the Service Express Manager at the Westin in Sydney.
After three and a half years overseeing front of house at the InterContinental Hotel Sydney, Chris has most recently spent a year as the Director of Rooms at Starwood – Four Points by Sheraton in Bangkok. He has returned to Sydney to take up the unique opportunity as founding Director of Rooms at Primus Hotel Sydney.
