Flavour of the Week
The travel industry has scored a bunch of new hires. Which is good news for business, less so for office toilet wait times.
Helloworld Travel announces the appointment of Ana Pedersen
Helloworld Travel Limited is pleased to announce the appointment of Ana Pedersen to the role of Global Director of Corporate Sales for QBT & APX.
Pedersen joins QBT/APX on 1 July and will bring the benefit of more than 27 years’ experience in the travel industry, most recently as Vice President – Large Market Global Sales for BCD Travel based in the U.S.
Prior to the VP role in the USA, Pedersen was Vice President Asia Pacific for BCD Travel based in Singapore. Pedersen’s Vice President experience has been over 10 years in North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America. Earlier positions included BCD Travel in Australia, TQ3 Travel Solutions, Galileo and Qantas.
“Ana brings an enormous wealth of Corporate Travel Management experience in international and regional sales, distribution, hotel programs, account management and industry knowledge to this critical role helping the corporate business focus for the Helloworld Travel Group,” said Helloworld Chief Executive Officer Andrew Burnes.
“We are delighted to welcome Ana to the team here at Helloworld Travel. She has a proven track record in exceptional business development and has created strong established relationships within the global business community.
“Her international reputation is of the highest calibre and Ana will assist the Corporate Division to identify national, regional and global opportunities.”
“I am very excited about this new challenge,” said Pedersen.
“The QBT and APX TMC businesses have a very strong operation with great leadership, amazing people, first class service and outstanding technology solutions and we are looking forward to developing the business in Australia and New Zealand as well as expansion in North America, Asia and Europe.”
Wendy Wu Tours Announces New AU MD
Wendy Wu Tours, Australia’s leading Asia travel specialist, has appointed Andrew Mulholland as managing director for Australia and New Zealand.
Based in Sydney, Mulholland will continue working closely with global chief executive Joe Karbo to drive company growth, digital transformation and innovation across the entire company portfolio.
Mulholland has been pivotal to Wendy Wu’s success since joining in June 2016 initially as General Manager, and has been instrumental in achieving record growth in revenue of over 32 per cent year on year. In addition Mulholland has been leading the business transformation team enhancing strategic direction and integration across the business.
Mulholland said, “Wendy Wu Tours is in a really strong commercial position.
“Escorted touring, our key market, is one of the fastest growing travel sectors and a key reason why we’re significantly expanding our range of tours.
“It’s a privilege to be given this new opportunity with Wendy Wu Tours and to be leading our business through the next phases of digital transformation.”
Joe Karbo, Group Chief Executive said, “Andrew has really shaped our business over the last 12 months, proving to be a strong and dynamic leader.
“Andrew is uniquely qualified and experienced for this role and so I have every confidence that Wendy Wu Tours will continue on what has been a steady path to growth and transformation.”
Shangri-La Hotels And Resorts Announces Oliver Bonke As New President And Chief Operating Officer
Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts has announced the appointment of Oliver Bonke as President and Chief Operating Officer.
Reporting to Shangri-La Asia Limited Chief Executive Officer LIM Beng Chee, Bonke will assume responsibilities on September 1, 2017 and will be based at Shangri-La’s headquarters in Hong Kong.
In his capacity as President and Chief Operating Officer, Bonke will oversee the group’s Executive Vice Presidents responsible for regional hotel operations, as well as the operational division heads of Food and Beverage, Sales, Marketing, Rooms, Engineering, Security, and Quality Improvement.
“We are delighted to welcome Oliver and look forward to his arrival as the new President and COO of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts,” said Lim.
“With his proven strong leadership and operational experience globally, I am confident Oliver will drive excellence and lead Shangri-La through the next phase of the group’s development and strategy.”
Bonke has nearly 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, most recently with Loews Hotels & Co. as Chief Commercial Officer. Loews Hotels & Co., headquartered in New York, is a luxury hotel brand comprised of 24 properties that it owns and operates in key urban and resort destinations across the U.S. and Canada.
Prior to joining Loews Hotels & Co., Bonke was Chief Commercial Officer for InterContinental Hotels Group in the Americas; he was also with Starwood Hotels and Resorts as Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing in Asia Pacific, and then in the same role with Starwood covering Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Sabre makes two leadership appointments
In its efforts to strengthen its team to better serve customers in APAC, Sabre Corporation, made two significant leadership appointments this week.
Axel Bench is appointed as Regional Director – Asia, and will be responsible for South Asia, North Asia and Southeast Asia. In conjunction with this appointment, the Sabre Airline Solutions business in the APAC region will be restructured into three regions:
- South Asia, North Asia and Southeast Asia led by Axel Bench
- Pacific region and Japan led by Scott Barratt
- Mainland China led by Peter Wu
Bench joins Sabre with more than 25 years of experience in senior Sales and Account Management roles.
Previously, he was the Global Sales Director for the Harris Aviation Solutions Group and has previously worked for such companies as Thales, ERA and Lufthansa Systems with a specific focus on Asia Pacific.
He rejoins Sabre, after having spent two years with Sabre Airlines Solutions (2005-2007) as Account Director for the Pacific region in addition to having sales responsibilities in Asia for some of Sabre Airline Solutions products.
Clayton Grant has been appointed Senior Account Director for Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei. Grant is an experienced Account Director who has been with Sabre for 4.5 years, and plays a key role in with several strategic clients such as Virgin Australia.
Grant has an extensive first-hand airline industry experience gained from his 12 years employment at Virgin Australia. At Virgin, he started at the Reservations department and spent majority of his career in Commercial and Revenue Management positions, until eventually becoming Manager of Revenue Management Development.
He has also recently completed studies in Aviation Management at Griffith University in Australia.
Wyndham appoints new SVP Legal and Compliance
Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific has appointed Liz Collinson in the executive role of Senior Vice President Legal and Compliance, based at the company’s Gold Coast corporate office.
Reporting to President and Managing Director Barry Robinson, as well as the US-based Wyndham Vacation Ownership General Counsel, Collinson will be responsible for providing strategic legal advice in respect of compliance with applicable securities and managed investment legislation, property and corporate acquisitions, consumer financing, commercial contracts and leases, hotel management and franchise agreements, dispute resolution, and employment and industrial relations matters.
The position oversees Wyndham’s Legal and Compliance team, which is domiciled across offices on the Gold Coast and Singapore.
Collinson joins Wyndham after almost three years as principal of her own firm, Elizabeth Collinson, Barrister & Solicitor. Previously, Collinson spent 12 years living in Singapore, with more than 10 years as Senior Vice President Legal and General Counsel at InterContinental Hotels Group Asia Pacific.
Latest News
Australia fails to make top 10 destination list for American travellers
Australia's top cities have failed to make the grade with American travellers this northern summer, with no local city in the top.
APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures
APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]
ANZAC Battlefield travel on the 2025 bucketlist
As Anzac Day dawns, agents prepare for a surge in bookings for the 110th anniversary of the Anzac Cove landings.
Former Channel 9 Getaway host and founder of TRIBE Jules Lund to speak at Travel DAZE
From blond-tipped travel reporter to Travel DAZE speaker, Jules Lund cuts through the BS.
HX’s Roald Amundsen finds aliens in the Antarctic
Forget whales, HX's MS Roald Amundsen captures aliens in the Antarctic - and they're not pretty.
Mayhem in France as 70% of flights face cancellation
I mean it wouldn't be France if there wasn't at least one strike.
Etihad Airways launches double-decker service with world’s only in-air three-room suite
We imagine falling asleep in the three-room suite is superior to falling asleep on your neighbour's shoulder.
Norwegian Cruise Line launches 2024 Europe travel season
Europe certainly has a lot of ports. Its time for Australia to up its game.
“The power of travel for positive change” – Intrepid’s Jenny Gray hails controversial all-women Saudi Arabia trip
There is an awful lot to love about this tour from Intrepid. Where do we sign up?
Princess names the Sun, unveils Sanctuary Collection + Star Princess to Alaska in ’26
A huge bottle of Veuve was smashed into the side of the ship to make things official. So no, we couldn't snag a glass.
Collette special offers across peak northern summer season
If you are craving a trip to Europe then grab this deal with both of your grubby hands.
Air India and All Nippon codeshare between the two countries
Here at TW we agreed that the photo would have worked better if they had swapped planes.
A&K offers minimum 18 weeks paid parental leave
Contrary to what the photo suggests this benefit is only applicable for humans. Back to work Mrs Jumbo.
NH Hotel Group rebrands as Minor Hotels Europe & Americas
Hang around the bends of the hotels. We imagine they will be full of a lot of branded content.
Scenic Eclipse II – the business of creating unforgettable life-changing memories
These cruise brothers from another mother offer a view of cruising on Scenic Eclipse II that is poles apart.
MSC builds new hospital ship with Mercy Ships
If you want to read a story that puts a smile on your face then this is the one for you.
“I peed on myself watching this” – Social media users squirm at Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of The Seas 55ft dive video
TW is not responsible for any involuntary actions your body might have after watching this video.
FLIGHT REVIEW: Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner business class
The real bonus is you're unlikely to be around screaming children. Hoorah!
Traveltek offers travel agents new rapid deploy cruise website
As always, if you have any issue with the platform, just turn it off and on again.
Experience whale watching & classical music at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville
Disappointedly, the whales do not start singing in tune with the orchestra. Opportunity missed.
Fond, very Fond. London hotel famed for James Bond link adds ‘Classic Comforts’ lunch menu
James Bond author Ian Fleming was so fond if this hotel, it inspired the legendary phrase ‘shaken, not stirred’.
What sets Eclipse Travel apart with Africa expert Hilary Dubyk: Travel Weekly TV
If you want to know more about Africa, then Hilary Dubyk is your person.
Surge in Australians visiting Japan
Feel like all of your friends have just returned from Europe? Now it's Japan.
Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit
Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]
Sydney named 17th best place to work remotely
If you struggle to get a seat within Sydney's coffee shops, you now know why.
W Melbourne grows sales team
We appreciate the thought that has gone into this team photo.
Cunard welcomes new ship Queen Anne
This might be the most impressive ship handover in ship handover history.
Intrepid Travel appoints Yvette Thompson as general manager sales & marketing ANZ
It isn't end-of-day Monday and Yvette Thompson has already nabbed herself an impressive promotion.
Anna Fawcett re-joins Global Touring in newly-created APAC role
With such an impressive CV, Global Touring is no doubt thrilled to have Fawcett back.
“We know our response has been far from perfect” – Emirates’ open letter following Dubai flooding
If you also need to write an apology letter, then this is a pretty good template.
Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa
Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]
Virgin Australia’s HILARIOUS second instalment of the ‘Bring on Wonderful’ campaign
We don't use the word 'hilarious' lightly, but this is worthy of the title.
Visit Sunshine Coast reveals new brand identity
If you were looking for another reason to visit the Sunshine Coast then this is it.
Sofitel launches brand campaign starring Sex Education’s Gillian Anderson
We can confirm the content of this video is less spicy than Sex Education.
Holland America Line gives agents the chance to visit Alaska on 11-day Famil
If you've ever wanted to see a Polar Bear (and who doesn't?), now is your time.
More than 65 luxury agents gather in Sydney for Best of the Best dinner
This looks like a fabulous do. We imagine there may be a few (or maybe 65) sore heads this morning!