Who got a new gig this week? Check out this week’s travel industry movers & shakers!
1. Virgin appoints Elizabeth Bryan as chairman
The former chair of Caltex Australia, Elizabeth Bryan has been appointed to head up Virgin Australia as the new Chairman of the Board.
Ms Bryan, who does not currently hold a spot on the board, will replace outgoing chair Neil Chatfield on 20 May.
According to the airline, Ms Bryan was chosen from a strong field of candidates and received unanimous support from the board.
2. New sales manager joins Hertz
The Hertz Corporation welcomes Maria Pantazis to the position of Regional Travel Industry Sales Manager for Australia and New Zealand.
Maria will be based in Sydney and will report to Lisa Miller, Director of Sales for Australia and New Zealand.
She will be responsible for the National Travel Management Accounts (TMC) partnership relationships, and provide the strategic direction across Australia and New Zealand for the segment.
Focusing on TMC’s as her first priority, Maria will take responsibility for the business development of the inbound market from Asia and Hertz’s Airline Partnerships across ANZ.
Prior to joining Hertz, Maria established a 20+ year career with Qantas Airways Ltd., where she held positions in Reservations, Commercial/Corporate Sales and Agency Partnerships on state and national levels.
Maria is well connected to the key Travel Management Companies and strong independent travel agencies.
3. Farrance gets Etihad promotion
Etihad Airways has promoted Mr Rohan Farrance to the role of Manager Western Australia.
Rohan, a Sydney-based Etihad Airways National Account Manager for the past two years, has more than 10 years’ experience in travel industry sales and management roles.
In his new position, Rohan will be based in Perth, responsible for commercial leadership in the State of Western Australia.
Etihad Airways’ Vice President for Asia Pacific South and Australasia, Lindsay White, said the airline was delighted to welcome Rohan to the new role.
The role of Manager for Western Australia reports to the Sydney-based position of General Manager for Australia and New Zealand.
4. Wanstall joins Metro Hotels
Metro Hotels has appointed Simon Wanstall as Property Manager, Metro Hotel on Pitt, and Executive Assistant Manager for Metro Hotel Sydney Central.
Simon is a dedicated Hospitality Professional with over 20 years full operational experience in both multi-outlet venue and luxury environments.
Simon has held previous rolls at Pullman Sydney Hyde Park, Pier One Sydney Harbour, Radisson Blu Hotel Sydney, Menzies Hotel and Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort where he has held positions of Operations Manager, Front Office Manager and Food and Beverage Manager.
5. Inland NSW team expands
Inland NSW has appointed two new independent directors to its Board; principal lawyer Alyssa Antcliffe and researcher and marketing expert Bronwyn White.
Principal of boutique law firm Antcliffes, Alyssa Antcliffe specialises in intellectual property, commercial, regulatory and planning law.
The firm focuses on assisting businesses which want to create
something with enduring value and growth through innovation.
Director of MyTravelResearch.com, Bronwyn White has over 25 years’ experience in travel and tourism industry market research, sales and marketing, including previous roles with Qantas Airways and as Executive Officer for the New England North West RTO.
6. Cahill joins the Oman team
Sultanate of Oman Tourism Australia-New Zealand this week welcomed respected and popular industry sales professional Sandra Cahill to its team.
Based in Sydney in the newly created role of Sales Manager for Australia, Sandra joins Country Manager Mona Tannous, Ben Alcock – PR & Communications Director, and Margaret Spiro – Account Manager New Zealand, completing the well-credentialed Australia-New Zealand team.
Sandra has enjoyed more than a decade of success working right across the industry in business development roles with Gulf Air, Air France, Tempo Holidays, APT and – most recently – as Sales Manager NSW at Insight Vacations.
Mona Tannous, Country Manager Sultanate of Oman Tourism Australia-New Zealand was delighted when Sandra chose to join the team.
“I’m overjoyed. Sandra has that unique combination of high quality industry experience, terrific relationships across the trade, an engaging personality, as well as a true passion for her work and for Oman.”
Mona Tannous, Oman Tourism Australia-New Zealand Country Manager
7. Petzer selected coordinate Swan Valley weddings
Jenny Petzer has been appointed Wedding & Event Co-ordinator at the Novotel Vines Resort and Country Club, effective immediately.
Experienced and with over 25 years in the industry, Jenny immigrated to Australia from South Africa in January 2014 and started working at the Vines in February 2014 in the Banqueting department.
A Duty Manager position followed, and now she moves into her current role in weddings and events.
Jenny commenced her career working for Rennies Travel, and then with a South African domestic airline – Flightstar.
Moving on to a position as International Marketing & Sales Manager for Sun International (Casino Hotel Chain) this was followed by a stint at Conservation Corporation Africa, now known as & Beyond.
Here she managed camps at private game lodges in Ngala Private Game Reserve, then Londolozi Bush Camp & lastly at Londolozi Safari Lodge.
Raising a young family she assisted with the family company, Komati River Chalets (self-catering B&B on the Komati River near the Kruger National Park) where she spent 13 years prior to moving to Australia.
In her new role, Jenny will manage all aspects of all weddings booked at The Vines Resort.
She meets with the bride & groom in the lead up to their big event, to ensure all their dreams are clearly understood and carried out, and liaises with the bride’s chosen suppliers to ensure a smooth wedding day, with beautiful memories and pictures, the end result.