Who got a new gig this week? Check out this week’s travel industry movers & shakers!
1. Former Busabout GM heads up G Adventures
He’s conquered youth travel at Contiki and he’s ticked off family guided holidays at Trafalgar and now Adrian Piotto is ready to master adventure travel at
G Adventures.
The former The Travel Corporation (TTC) employee has been named the new Managing Director for the company in Australia and New Zealand, replacing outgoing boss Belinda Ward who was promoted to Vice President of Industry Sales & Operations and will be based in the UK.
With over 19 years industry experience, including General Manager of Busabout, G Adventures says Piotto brings “outstanding business acumen to the role” and expects he’ll be the “perfect person” to lead to company in its next phase of growth down under.
2. Karbo heads up INNSTANT in Australia
Global online travel wholesaler Innstant Travel, has announced the appointment of Joe Karbo as its General Manager of Australia.
The former GM of Excite Holidays who recently returned from an expansion role in Europe, will now lead Innstant’s local operations in Australia.
As part of the role, Karbo will work with local agents to build momentum for the company in Australia.
The company’s CEO, Darryl Ismail, said Joe brings “a wealth of local knowledge and experience” to the role.
“I’m extremely happy to join the Innstant Group and look forward to adding value by working closely with existing team members and the local travel industry again.”
Joe Karbo, Innstant Travel General Manager Australia
“The company is truly a global business, which owns its technology and currently supports agents in highly competitive markets such as UK, USA, Brazil, China, Mid-East & Australia which is very impressive.”
3. New additions to the Centara team
As Centara has been expanding and diversifying the sales and marketing structure along with other key areas of the business, new positions were created in response to new demands.
Centara is pleased to welcome Mr. Paul Wilson, Vice President of Sales, Mr. Adrian Hardwick-Jones, Vice President of Design & Technical Services, and Mr. Tawicha Trakulyingyong (Ph.D.), Group Director of Business Process Improvement. This growth is part of the larger business strategy, which previously included the introduction of the Vice President of Brand, Marketing & Digital.
Mr. Paul Wilson, VP of Sales, joins the Centara team with over 15 years of experience in the hotel and hospitality industry as a sales, marketing and revenue specialist. Relocating from Australia, Wilson held a dual role as National M.I.C.E Director and Regional Sales & Marketing Director at the Mantra Group. Prior to Mantra Group, Wilson has nurtured his career with senior roles in leading hospitality companies such as Park Plaza Hotel & Resorts in London and boutique properties in his native Africa.
With 24 years of experience in Asia alone, working across different economic environments and companies, Centara is pleased to welcome Mr. Adrian Hardwick-Jones into the new role of VP of Design and Technical Services. He comes to Centara with both technical expertise and keen business acumen.
Mr. Tawicha Trakulyingyong has joined Centara as the Group Director of Business Process Improvement to help drive the improvement of business efficiency across the organization and also to oversee the IT department from strategies to operation management with the aim to increase business competitiveness with the right technology investments.
4. JP Kavanagh appointed as GM of Belmond Grand Hibernian
Belmond announces the appointment of JP Kavanagh as General Manager of Belmond Grand Hibernian, Dublin, Ireland from 7 March 2016.
A graduate of Trinity College Dublin, Kavanagh began his hospitality career at The Connaught, London and has since built up 23 years’ experience in luxury hotels with the majority of his career spent operating hotels in the UK and Ireland. Kavanagh returns to his hometown of Dublin to draw on his specialist knowledge of the destination in preparation of the launch of Belmond Grand Hibernian. He joins Belmond immediately from the Doyle Collection’s Kensington Hotel in London.
The son of a hotelier, Kavanagh brings a lifelong passion for hospitality and service that has been passed through the generations. Married with three children, Kavanagh is also a keen golfer and enjoys time out on the golf course with his sons.