Who got a new gig this week? Check out this week’s travel industry movers & shakers.
1. AccorHotels lines up new General Managers
Jo Finnigan has been appointed General Manager, Hotel St Moritz Queenstown, a member of the MGallery Collection. Jo commenced her career with AccorHotels in May 2000 as Communications Manager at then named St Moritz Novotel Suites. Most recently Jo has been Acting General Manager in the absence of Lynne McVicar, who has departed her two decade-long career following a life-changing year in 2015 dealing with and overcoming breast cancer.
Jessie Sheehan has been appointed General Manager, The Como Melbourne – MGallery Collection. Jessie joined AccorHotels in 2009 as General Manager of Mount Lofty House, MGallery Collection, before progressing to General Manager, Mercure Kooindah Waters Central Coast. Her most recent role was General Manager, Novotel Forest Creswick before commencing parental leave in June 2015.
Lorraine Mercuri has been appointed General Manager, Mercure Sydney International Airport. Lorraine commenced her career with AccorHotels in 1992 at Novotel Wollongong Northbeach where she held various supervisor roles. Her first General Manager appointment was at Novotel Canberra in 2004 which progressed to her most recent position as General Manager, Pullman Sydney Hyde Park in 2013.
Kayte Staraj has been appointed General Manager, Novotel Brisbane. Kayte commenced with AccorHotels in 2005 as Restaurant Manager, Novotel & Ibis Sydney Olympic Park. She later progressed to Executive Assistant Manager, Novotel Sydney Rooty Hill in 2010 before being appointed Franchise Operations Manager NSW/ACT in 2012. Her most recent role was General Manager, Quay West Suites Brisbane.
Dougal McConnell has been appointed General Manager, The Sebel Mandurah. Dougal first joined AccorHotels in 2008 as Front Office Manager, Novotel Melbourne Glen Waverley before progressing to Rooms Division Manager, ibis Melbourne. His first General Manager role was in 2012 at ibis Styles Alice Springs followed by The Sebel Launceston. His most recent role was General Manager, Novotel Creswick Resort.
Simon Harper has been appointed General Manager, Mercure Queenstown Resort. Simon held the position of General Manager, Grand Mercure Puka Park before commencing his most recent role as General Manager, Novotel Suva Lami Bay in 2010.
Vincent Macquet has been appointed General Manager, Sofitel Wellington. Vincent joined AccorHotels in 2012 as General Manager, Sofitel Queenstown Hotel and Spa. Vincent has an extensive experience in delivering five-star service and will take on the challenge of opening this new hotel in mid 2016.
Kristian Lindhe has been appointed General Manager, The Sebel Brisbane. Kristian first joined AccorHotels in 2004 at The Sebel Melbourne where he held a variety of Food and Beverage positions before moving to The Como Melbourne as Night Auditor. Kristian’s first General Manager appointment was at The Sebel Deep Blue Warrnambool which has progressed to his most recent role as General Manager, Novotel Brisbane.
Tom Bloomfield has been appointed General Manager, Mercure Gold Coast Resort. Tom joined the AccorHotels in 2012 after the merger of Mirvac, where he remained as the General Manager, The Sebel Suites Brisbane. Prior to this he was the General Manager, The Sebel Melbourne and Hotel Manager of Quay West Suites Melbourne.
Jamie O’Donnell has been appointed General Manager, Darwin Airport Hotels. Jamie first joined AccorHotels network in December 2012 as General Manager, Mercure Gold Coast Resort.
Daniel Barnard has been appointed General Manager, The Menzies Hotel Sydney. Daniel joined AccorHotels in 2013 as Operations Manager, Novotel Barossa Valley. He has completed several General Manager secondments during his tenure with his most recent position being Acting General Manager, Mercure Sydney International Airport Hotel.
Scott O’Neile has been appointed General Manager, The Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains – MGallery Collection. Scott was appointed to his first General Manager position at Lake Crackenback Resort and Spa – Snowy Mountains in 2012 before progressing to his most recent position as General Manager, Mantra on Salt Beach Resort in 2014. AccorHotels is thrilled to have Scott joining the team.
Larelle Fitt has been appointed as Business Development Manager, Novotel Barossa Valley Resort. Larelle has extensive experience within the industry, progressing from her most recent position as Sales Manager at The Mantra Resort. Larelle will be contracted on a two day a week basis for a 12 month period, filling in for Olivia Aiyer who is currently on maternity leave. Larelle will be based in Victoria working from The Como Melbourne.
2. Emirates appoints Gary Hilt as Regional Manager for Western Australia
Emirates is pleased to announce the appointment of Gary Hilt to the position of Emirates Regional Manager for Western Australia. Gary holds extensive commercial experience in the travel and aviation industries, and joins the Emirates team from The Walshe Group, with his most recent role as National Sales Manager at South African Airways.
In his new role, Mr Hilt will be responsible for the airline’s travel trade relationships in Western Australia.
Mr Hilt will join Emirates on 14 March 2016 and Barry Brown, Emirates’ Divisional Vice President for Australasia, looks forward to welcoming him to the Australian team.
3. AAT Kings farewells Takahiro Kondo
AAT Kings has announced the departure of Takahiro Kondo, Sales Manager – Japan, after nearly 16 years of dedicated service with Australia and New Zealand’s favourite guided holiday operator.
Commencing his career with AAT Kings in 2000 as a Japanese Speaking Guide in Uluru, Takahiro progressed into various roles within the organisation including Manager of AAT Kings’ Language Department in 2005 before being promoted to his most recent position of Sales Manager – Japan.
Anthony Hayes, Managing Director of AAT Kings, said: “It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to Takahiro and bid him every success in his new role. Takahiro has been an invaluable asset to our team for the past 16 years and is widely recognised as one of the most knowledgeable identities throughout the Japanese and Australian Tourism Industry. We can’t thank him enough for his long-lasting commitment and support for AAT Kings.”
Takahiro will leave AAT Kings later this month, to take up a senior role with a valued client, with the recruitment of his successor underway.
4. Adventure World appoints new Industry Account Manager
Adventure World is pleased to announce the appointment of Andrea Morgan to the role of Industry Account Manager NSW & ACT.
Andrea brings to the Adventure World sales team an extensive network of trade relationships in NSW/ACT. She is a highly respected and accomplished Account Manager who was recognised as ‘Sales Executive of the Year’ at the AFTA National Travel Industry Awards in 2014.
Prior to joining Adventure World, Andrea was with G Adventures where she held the position of NSW State Manager since 2012. Andrea has travelled extensively to over 100 countries around the World and set foot on all seven continents.
5. STA Travel Australia appoints Andrea Robinson to Country Manager
Following a strong start to 2016, STA Travel Australia has promoted former Product Trading and Marketing Director, Andrea Robinson to the newly-created position of Country Manager.
Robinson will lead the Australian office, reporting directly into global Chief Trading Officer, Glen Mintrim. The official appointment follows a strong start to the quarter for STA Travel Australia, with the company reporting strong monthly growth of 14.7 percent in February 2016 when compared to the previous year.
Robinson has served in various senior leadership roles with STA Travel across both the Australian and UK global divisions for more than decade.