Who got a new gig this week? Check out this week’s travel industry movers & shakers!
1. TravelManagers appoints Lisa Humphries as new Cruise Strategy Executive
Lisa Humphries
TravelManagers, Australia’s leading personal travel manager network, has celebrated the start of 2016 by attracting experienced cruise specialist Lisa Humphries who joins the company as Cruise Strategy Executive assuming executive responsibility for the development and implementation of the company’s national cruise strategy. According to Executive General Manager, Michael Gazal, the newly created role demonstrates TravelManagers growing commitment to cruise as a specialist travel market.
Lisa brings a wealth of knowledge, passion and expertise of the cruise industry to TravelManagers. She also brings her innovative and out of the box style of thinking, and her exceptional networking skills and strong industry relationships. With over 25 years of travel experience in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong and Australia, Lisa more recently has over eight years specific cruise sales and marketing experience with start-up company Best Cruises. It was under Humphries leadership the company became a top agent for all major cruise lines (including P&O, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Holland America Line) within a year of opening.
Lisa will begin her new role on 18 January 2016.
2 . Davina Bicker joins World Journeys
Davina Bicker
Boutique travel wholesaler World Journeys has welcomed Davina Bicker into the Sales & Marketing team. Davina brings over 17 years of travel industry experience to the team, with her most recent sales role being at Adventure World in Sydney. Director Brett Barclay is absolutely delighted having Davina on the team, saying that her wealth of knowledge of the company’s destinations and products will help the company rise to the next level.
Davina will be based in World Journeys Auckland HQ.
3. Carlson Rezidor appoints Barry Fleischmann as Director of Development for Australasia
Barry Fleischmann
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the world’s largest and most dynamic hotel groups, recently announced the appointment of Barry Fleischmann as Director of Development for the Australasia region (which includes Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands).
Barry will lead Australasia in leveraging Carlson Rezidor’s innovative development platform to sign new management contracts and franchise agreements. He will be responsible for strengthening relationships with owners and other key stakeholders, as well as initiating new strategic partnerships with leading property developers in Australasia to accelerate Carlson Rezidor’s growth in the sub-region.
Barry has 20 years of experience that spans franchise development, sales, consultancy, food and beverage, as well as hotel management, and has worked in nine cities across Australia and the United States. He joins the team at Carlson Rezidor from Best Western Australasia, where he was General Manager of Development for three years.
Barry will be based in Sydney and report to Marc Kramer who is the Senior Director of Development for Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
4. New COMO Bali appointments
With one promotion, one transfer and one new addition, COMO Bali are starting the new year off with a bang.
Gede Suteja has been promoted from Resort Manager in Uma Ubud to the new General Manager of COMO Bali. Suteja was an employee of COMO in early 2004, when the company took over the management of Begawan Giri Estate, now known as the COMO Shambhala Estate. In August 2012, he returned to Bali after a one-year stint as Executive Assistant Manager in Cocoa Island.
Javier Beneyto will be ditching the beaches of Miami for the beaches of Bali come 18 April 2016 as the new General Manager of COMO Echo Beach, Bali – due to open in the first quarter of 2017. Javier joined COMO in June 2012 and assisted with assignments in Cocoa Island and The Halkin before his official involvement with the opening of Metropolitan in Miami in October where he was the General Manager.
Last but not least, Simone Broekhaar has joined the COMO Bali team as the new Regional Director of Sales and Marketing as of 4 January 2016. Simone is currently the Director of Marketing & Sales of The Datai Langkawi. A graduate with a Hotel Management Degree, Simone had worked in Turkey, Estonia, Holland, United Kingdom and Oman with leading hotel brands such as the Le Meridien Hotels, Swissotel Hotels and Resorts and the GHM Hotels. Simone will be based in Bali, Indonesia.
5. New Abu Dhabi appointments at The Walshe Group
Left to right: Ola Kay and Jamie Bunn
A new Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) team has been appointment at The Walshe Group for the Australia/New Zealand market in time for what should be a BIG year for the destination. Ola Kay will take on the role of Country Manager for TCA Abu Dhabi, and Jamie Bunn will take on the role of Travel Trade and MICE Executive.
Ms Kay brings more than 20 years experience in advertising and corporate marketing to the role, as well as a personal background in the Middle East. She was most recently Head of Marketing with Insight Vacations, and previously worked with SBS Television, Westfield, Vodafone, BT Funds Management and M&C Saatchi.
Ms Bunn will be managing the Trade and MICE market in Australia and New Zealand for TCA Abu Dhabi. She was previously employed by Insight Vacations managing the South NSW and ACT market, and prior to this was with Etihad Airways for a period of four years. Ms Bunn has been in the travel industry for nine years and also brings experience from Carlson Wagonlit Travel and Flight Centre.
6. Insider Journeys appoints Emily Hill to GM Customer Experience & Marketing
Emily Hill
Effective 18 January 2016, Emily Hill – formerly the Marketing Communications Manager at Tourism Australia – will become Insider Journeys’ new General Manager of Customer Experience and Marketing. Hill will have responsibility for all marketing activity as well as ensuring a consistent and market leading customer experience across all touch points for the Insider Journeys’ business.
Hill has extensive travel and tourism marketing experience (including 10 years with Tourism Australia), and, according to Managing Director Paul Hole, her global experience and expertise in delivering fantastic customer service will help Insider Journeys deliver key business initiatives.
