Who got a new gig this week? Check out this week’s travel industry movers & shakers.
1. TTC invests in talent
As part of its ongoing commitment to the trade, The Travel Corporation (TTC), the agent friendly holiday company, has announced a number of new sales appointments across its family of brands.
Soft-adventure specialist, Adventure World, welcomes an industry veteran to its fold with the appointment of Jerry Pilgrim to the role of QLD / NSW Industry Account Manager, looking after Queensland the northern NSW (Ballina/Byron Bay) area, effective 29 February. Jerry joins Adventure World with over 22 years’ experience in travel sales, equipping him with solid and far-reaching industry relationships.
The world’s only authentic boutique river cruise company, Uniworld, has welcomed back one of its well-known business development managers with Anastasia Kotanidis recently returning to the group from maternity leave into the role of Sales Manager VIC / TAS. Prior to her temporary departure, Anastasia had built up an impressive network of contacts which she is looking forward to re-engaging with, in addition to building new relationships.
Youth travel leader, Contiki, is also adding two new sales stars to its team with the appointment of Joanna Donald to role of Sales Manager VIC / TAS and Kim Ryan as Sales Manager NSW looking after southern NSW.
Joanna is no stranger to the Contiki brand or being on the road, transitioning into her new position after almost four years as a Contiki Trip Manager in Europe while Kim joins with a deep understanding of agent needs having spent a number of years as a travel agent across various brands within the Flight Centre Travel Group.
Freestyle travel expert, Busabout, is also strengthening its sales team with Holly Cooling taking up the role of NSW / NZ Sales Manager. Holly joins Busabout with over six years industry experience from both wholesale and retail.
2. AAT Kings appoints Hannah Xu to newly created role
AAT Kings has announced the appointment of Hannah Xu to the newly created role of Senior Sales Manager Greater China. Based in Shanghai, China, Hannah will assume responsibility for all AAT Kings Sales activities in the Greater China market with a solid focus on growing Inspiring Journeys.
Hannah’s presence will help to expand product distribution, strengthen existing trade partnerships and secure new opportunities for the AAT Kings brand in this rapidly growing market.
Boasting a wealth of experience in both marketing and sales, Hannah has worked with organisations as diverse as Tourism Northern Territory, Resorts World Sentosa, CITS American Express and Shanghai Donghu International Travel Service.
Hannah commenced in the role on 1 March 2016.
3. W Singapore gets a new MD
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has appointed Stephane Fabregoul as Managing Director of W Singapore – Sentosa Cove and The St. Regis Singapore.
French by origin, Stephane began his Starwood career as an Account Officer at Le Méridien Nice in 1993 before advancing along the Finance and Operations track, holding various Finance and Operational roles at Le Méridien Juan les Pins and Le Méridien Monte Carlo.
In 2002, Stephane was named Deputy General Manager of Le Méridien Monte Carlo and was subsequently promoted as the General Manager of Le Royal Méridien Mumbai and The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace. Stephane’s most recent assignment as the General Manager at the W Singapore – Sentosa Cove, guided the property from its pre-opening stages to a successful launch in 2012.
In his new role of Managing Director, Stephane is excited and certain that he will be able to further explore and bridge the synergies of both W Singapore – Sentosa Cove and The St. Regis Singapore.
W Singapore – Sentosa Cove is an epitome of modern luxury, located in the lively coastal setting of Singapore’s resort island – Sentosa, an ideal escape away from the city crowd. On the other spectrum of luxury hospitality, located in the heart of the city state at the crossroads of world-class shopping belt, Orchard Road and the embassy enclave at Tanglin Road, The St. Regis Singapore offers refined, timeless elegance and peerless service that are synonymous with the St. Regis name.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts currently operates four hotels in Singapore including W Singapore – Sentosa Cove, The St. Regis Singapore, The Westin Singapore and Sheraton Towers Singapore. Later this year, it will debut the Four Points by Sheraton brand with the opening of Four Points by Sheraton Singapore, Riverview.
4. New PR appointment at the Walshe Group
The Walshe Group has announced the appointment of Suzanne Tobin as PR and Media Manager, Australia & NZ, for Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), based in Sydney.
Jacqui Walshe, Managing Director of The Walshe Group, said, “We are thrilled to have Suzanne join The Walshe Group. She is the final piece in the TCA Abu Dhabi team, lead by Ola Kay as Country Manager. We believe their fresh vision will open up the destination and entice Australian and New Zealand visitation”.
Tobin’s previous experience spans both consumer and destination marketing communications working for British Waterways, Vodafone, STW Sport and PPR (Professional Public Relations), as well as three years in the NSW Parliament Press Gallery. She has a passion for travel and adventure, having managed international media aboard Sir Richard Branson’s Super Yacht.
Abu Dhabi will see many sensational developments and events in 2016, with large infrastructure projects such as the anticipated opening of the much awaited Louvre Abu Dhabi, an array of stunning new hotels and resorts and the development of the Emirate’s cruise sector serving the recently opened Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal.
Highlights of the year’s events calendar include the return of the annual Abu Dhabi Food Festival – incorporating Gourmet Abu Dhabi and the Emirati Kitchen’s showcase of local cuisines – set to get taste buds tingling, and November’s season ending 2016 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and the Emirate’s 45th National Day celebrations round off an action-packed year.
The Walshe Group was appointed the representation company of notice for TCA Abu Dhabi for Australia and New Zealand, in late 2015.
5. Two key appointments at View Hotels
View Hotels has announced two key appointments to its senior management teams in Sydney and Brisbane, with the hugely-experienced Anthony Coates and Andrew Best accepting positions with the boutique hotel group.
Following his relocation from Tasmania, Andrew Best will step into the role of Director Sales and Marketing at the North Sydney Harbourview Hotel, with Anthony Coates joining the Brisbane Riverview Hotel in the same role.
Making the move from Australia’s most southern state, Andrew brings over a decade’s experience to his new role at the North Sydney Harbourview Hotel – having built his career through a number of positions at the Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart.
Leading the team across sales, conferencing and events at the Hotel Grand Chancellor, Andrew Best also contributed to the broader industry through several advisory board roles and spent five years as the Chair of the MEA Tasmanian Branch.
Anthony Coates’ three-decade career across travel, tourism and hospitality has him well-placed for his new role with the Brisbane Riverview Hotel as the Director of Sales and Marketing.
His depth of experience has been shaped via roles with Dreamworld, Virgin Australia (formerly Virgin Blue), Queensland Rail and Travel Train Holidays – as well as overseeing the sales strategy for the successful launch of the Story Bridge Adventure Climb into local, national and international markets.
Both Anthony Coates and Andrew Best commence in their roles from the beginning of March.
6. Etihad Aviation Group welcomes new board of directors
Etihad Aviation Group today welcomed the announcement of a new Board of Directors.
The new Board was established by a resolution of HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council.
HE Mohamed Mubarak bin Fadhil Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Etihad Aviation Group, said: “The appointment of the new Board is an important milestone in the evolution to an aviation group, which has taken place over the last 18 months.”