Who got a new gig this week? Check out this week’s travel industry movers & shakers.
1. SAA announces new National Sales Manager for Australia
South African Airways (SAA) has announced that Michael Hall has re-joined the airline as National Sales Manager, effective immediately.
SAA’s Country Manager for Australasia, Tim Clyde-Smith said: “We are very pleased to welcome Michael back to the SAA family and look forward to working with him as we continue to build our reputation as Africa’s leading airline”.
“Michael’s most recent role was General Manager at Southern Travelnet, a specialist inbound tourism operator with operations in Australia and New Zealand.
“Prior to that he spent 18 years at Walshes World in New Zealand. He worked with SAA in that capacity for 10 years, working closely with our trade and business partners.
“Michael will work closely with me as we continue to grow the business in Australasia and to broaden our relationships with the travel trade.”
2. Emirates strengthens its commercial team
Emirates has announced several management changes in its commercial operations team to strengthen its market position in Africa, the Middle East and North and South America. The commercial team changes are a further testament to Emirates’ strategic direction to keep its competitive edge in these regions.
Orhan Abbas has been appointed Senior Vice President Commercial Operations Africa, and will lead growth efforts across the continent and will report directly to Thierry Antinori, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. Since joining Emirates in 1998 as a management trainee, he has held senior positions in Tanzania, Iran, South Africa and the Middle East as well as the position of Vice President for India and Nepal. In 2012, he was appointed Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, The Americas, and in August 2013 was later appointed as Senior Vice President Commercial Operations – Latin America, Central and Southern Africa.
Adil Al Ghaith, the new Senior Vice President Commercial Operations Gulf Middle East & Iran will lead a number of Emirates’ markets in the Middle East. Having been with Emirates for 17 years, Adil is a seasoned commercial executive in this region who led markets like Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Yemen for several years. He also previously held the position of Vice President in Pakistan and Senior Vice President in North and West Africa.
Rob Gurney is taking an additional responsibility for Latin America as he becomes the Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations (The Americas). He joined Emirates in October 2014 as a Divisional Vice President Australasia following an extensive career in aviation, travel and tourism; and was promoted to Senior Vice President Commercial Operations for North America in 2015.
3. Heinrich Morio joins Soneva as Managing Director – Maldives
Soneva Resorts and Residences has announced that Heinrich Morio has joined the company as the new Managing Director – Maldives, responsible for overseeing its flagship resort Soneva Fushi as well as its latest luxury offerings Soneva in Aqua and Soneva Jani.
A dual US and German National, Heinrich’s hospitality career spans more than 35 years, most of which have been spent in the management team of some of the world’s most renowned luxury hotels and resorts.
Prior to joining Soneva, Heinrich was the General Manager (opening) of the Palazzo Versace Hotel in Dubai, and formerly the General Manager of the Burj al Arab, as well as the General Manager of the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, both also located in Dubai, UAE. Before moving to the Middle East, Heinrich was the General Manager of several One & Only properties in Mauritius and Bahamas, as well as luxury resorts in the United States. He will join Soneva in July 2016.
4. Ku’uipo Kumukahi joins Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa
Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa has named Ku’uipo Kumukahi as the resort’s new Manager of Hawaiian Culture and Community Relations.
A professional Hawaiian music entertainer, and winner of several Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, Kumukahi was recently confirmed by the Hawaii State Senate to serve on the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority.
She brings to the property a dedication to the education, preservation, perpetuation and promotion of Hawaiian language through the art of Hawaiian music, poetry and mele. Kumukahi’s function is to enhance the current programming of the hotel’s learning center – E Makani ʻEhā – by introducing Hawaiian language lessons, a more personalized cultural tour, and increasing Hyatt’s role in the community.
The public can see Kumukahi at the parade review stand at the 100th Anniversary King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade on June 11th, 2016.
Kumukahi has been engaged in the community for many years as a community outreach manager for the Arc in Hawaii where she worked to build community collaborations through business and education.