Who got a new gig this week? Check out this week’s travel industry movers & shakers!
1. Fiji Airways adds to local team
Fiji Airways has appointed Shaenaz Voss, to the position of Executive General Manager (EGM) Fiji Link and Group Corporate, International and Government Affairs. Voss is the first local in five years to become EGM at the National Airline, demonstrating the company’s commitment to the progression of Fijian aviation professionals.
As well as leading the team at domestic subsidiary Fiji Link, Voss will be responsible for the Fiji Airways Group’s Corporate Communications Department that looks after all media, corporate, and public communications, and the sponsorship and event functions of the company. Voss will continue to manage the company’s International and Government relations.
Voss was most recently General Manager International, Industry and Government Affairs at Fiji Airways, and previously headed up Fiji Link as its General Manager. She officially assumed her new role on 18 November.
Another local aviation professional, Pradeep Singh, who has been Acting General Manager Operations Support, has also been confirmed to the senior management position. Singh will continue to lead the Operations Control Centre (OCC) and report to the Executive General Manager Operations.
In addition to these appointments, Fiji Airways has also appointed an interim Executive General Manager Sales and Marketing. Regional General Manager Australia, Andrew Stanbury, will be Acting EGM Sales and Marketing in place of Otto Gergye who has resigned. Andrew will hold the position until a replacement EGM is appointed
2. Steve Odell appointed to Senior VP of Norwegian
Steve Odell, third from the right.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has appointed Steve Odell as Senior Vice President & Managing Director Asia Pacific.
Following the recent opening of its inaugural Australasia office in Sydney, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) has appointed Steve Odell, previously NCLH Senior Vice President and Managing Director Australia & New Zealand, as Senior Vice President and Managing Director Asia Pacific – responsible for overseeing Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific and, Asia including Japan, India, South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Operating from NCLH’s new regional headquarters in Sydney, Mr Odell’s position will be focused on the continued growth of the company’s presence in the Asia Pacific region and differentiating each of NCLH’s three cruise brands – Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises – unique offerings.
Odell brings over thirty years of pioneering cruise industry experience to this position, playing a key role in the establishment of the luxury cruise segment in Australasia since 2000, previously serving as Silverseas’ President EMEA & Asia Pacific. He also served as Chairman ICCA (now CLIA Australasia) from 2005 to 2007, and was a founding Board member of the Asia Cruise Association (now CLIA Asia).
3. New GM of Sales for Captain Cook Cruises
Captain Cook Cruises Fiji is delighted to announce the appointments of Diane Lanz as General Manager Sales based in the Sydney Office.
Diane brings to the position a wealth of experience, having spent the past 19 years working for Castaway Island Fiji and Outrigger on the Lagoon in the role of Sales Manager.
During this time, Diane has built up her knowledge of Fiji as a holiday destination and has developed a great network amongst travel industry personnel of all levels including retail, wholesale, mice, weddings and group niches across Australia. Diane also has an excellent working relationship with industry partners including tourism and airline bodies here and in Fiji.
Captain Cook Cruises Fiji, Australian Managing Director, Jackie Charlton, welcomes Diane to the team and looks forward to working with her.
4. Julia Lim joins Express Travel Group
Express Travel Group has pounced on the opportunity to bolster its Sales Team stocks and specifically to continue to strengthen and grow its key Asian markets and its Select Travel Group, appointing Julia Lim as a Business Development Manager Victoria.
Prior to joining Express Travel Group Julia spent 20 years with MH and has extensive relationships within the Select Travel Group Market.
“Julia’s main focus will be the continued growth and support for our longest standing network, the Select Travel Group here in Victoria.”
Jonathan Nelson, Express Travel Group GM
“STG continues to be a major focus and very important part of the Express Travel Group family of brands”
It’s expected the Select Travel Group conference announcement will be made within the next week.
5. Best Western makes three key manager appointments
Best Western Hotels & Resorts has announced two general manager appointments and one sales and marketing appointment in Australia.
John Örning has been appointed General Manager, Best Western Plus Oceanside Kawana Hotel in Birtinya on the Sunshine Coast. John has had a successful career with several Best Western properties in both Sweden and Australia over the last 20 years.
He has extensive experience across all departments of hotel and restaurant operations and was most recently general manager for the 5-star Best Western Plus Quarterdecks Retreat in Hervey Bay, Queensland.
Karen Young also joins the Best Western Plus Oceanside Kawana Hotel as Sales and Marketing Manager. Previously, Karen worked with The Plaza Hotels group for over 15 years primarily in sales and marketing.
Christopher and Janeen Reese have joined Best Western as managers of the Best Western Hunter Gateway in Rutherford, New South Wales. With almost 40 years combined industry experience, they formerly managed Accor and Comfort Inn properties including Ibis Gosford and Comfort Inn Fairways Resort in the Illawarra region.
6. Centara Vietnam welcomes new GM
Centara Hotels & Resorts welcomes Ms. Cathy McConkey as the General Manager of Sandy Beach Non Nuoc Managed by Centara in Da Nang, Vietnam.
With over 20 years of experience working a variety of destinations such as in her home country Australia, India and Vietnam, McConkey brings a strong background to the property.
McConkey has worked in the Royal Goan Beach Club, India, the Life Heritage Resort Hoi An, Vietnam and the Ibis Styles Albury Lake Hume Resort, Australia. Prior to joining Centara, McConkey was working at the Naman Retreat Da Nang, Vietnam as the General Manager.
Vietnam is a growing and promising destination where Centara has further invested as they will be opening their third resort in December 2015, Centara Beach Resort & Spa Phu Quoc.
