Break out the welcome cupcakes and spring for some Nescafe Gold, it’s time to welcome the industry’s latest recruits.

AccorHotels appoints new Director of Sales & Marketing, New Zealand, Fiji and French Polynesia

AccorHotels New Zealand is pleased to announce that Kerrie Hannaford has been appointed as the new Director of Sales & Marketing, New Zealand, Fiji and French Polynesia, based in Auckland.

Hannaford replaces Sonya Rossiter who has recently relocated to AccorHotels Singapore Office in a newly created role, joining the Accor Plus team.

Spanning an impressive career within the AccorHotels network globally, Hannaford began her career in 2005 as Director of Sales & Marketing at the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa. Hannaford then moved to Australia in the role of National Director of Sales, Distribution & Revenue Management.

In 2010, Hannaford moved to the United States as the Vice President of Global Sales where she expanded Le Club AccorHotels loyalty programme in North America, and implemented regional and global sales and distribution strategies. Most recently, she was based in Florida and responsible for a team of 75 employees as Senior Vice President for North & Central America.

Senior Vice President Operations, New Zealand, Fiji and French Polynesia, Gillian Millar said, “I am delighted to welcome Kerrie Hannaford to the AccorHotels team in New Zealand with her undeniable global industry knowledge as a veteran hotelier.

“Kerrie’s impressive career is a testament to the mobility and development opportunities that come with being part of such a large operator like AccorHotels. I look forward to working closely with Kerrie and furthering the presence of AccorHotels in the Pacific region.”

AVIS BUDGET GROUP ANNOUNCES NEW PACIFIC REGION SALES AND MARKETING LEADERS

Avis Budget Group has made four key promotions in their Pacific Region leadership team to reflect their continued investments in customer insight, product innovation and mobility services.

Each of the new roles are responsible for the Pacific Region covering Australia and New Zealand.

• Clare Emerson is the Head of Product and PR, responsible for customer insight, product development and service innovation.
• Roy Scoon is the Head of Marketing, responsible for all consumer marketing and brand management.
• Ross Morley is the Head of Corporate Sales, responsible for all account management for public and private sector (B2B) customers.
• Guy Robinson is the Head of Leisure and Partnerships, responsible for all sales through national and international Travel and Tourism distribution channels.

These changes continue the trend for Avis Budget Group to create more integrated and consistent experiences for customers throughout the Pacific Region.  

TravelCube boosts preferred partner support under new sales structure

Image: (L-R): Stacy Harsh, Teagan Greentree, Shari Rokosuka and John Stucci.

TravelCube is pleased to announce the launch of a new national sales structure that enhances support of the company’s key preferred partners.

Under the revamped structure, TravelCube’s sales team now includes two newly-created Key Account Manager positions – each of which will work closely with the company’s preferred retail networks to identify and seize opportunities for growth.

TravelCube has appointed former NSW State Manager Stacy Harsh, and former NSW Sales Executive Teagan Greentree to the new roles, effective 5 July 2017.

In addition, former Sales Manager Queensland Shari Rokosuka has been promoted to the newly-created role of Sales Manager Australia, with responsibility for TravelCube’s experienced team of Account Managers.

Vice President Sales and Marketing, Pacific, John Stucci, says the new sales structure ensures effective support for all travel agent partners while acknowledging TravelCube’s most loyal customers.

“Our new structure will ensure that we are doing everything possible to engage with those retail travel partners who support us, and to assist them achieve their sales strategies and growth targets,” said Stucci.

CRUISECO APPOINTS NEW CEO

Cruiseco Directors Kevin Dale and Phil Hoffmann have announced Amanda McClelland as the new Cruiseco CEO replacing Steve Lloyd who is retiring, having held the role since the company’s foundation in 2000.

McClelland comes to the company following extensive senior management experience in call centre management and telecommunications services.  Most recently she was Director of Customer Sales and Services as well as Director for Business Improvement at P&O Australia and brings an extensive knowledge of and passion for the cruise industry to the role.

“After a long search which attracted a number of excellent candidates we are delighted that Amanda has accepted the role” said Cruiseco Chairman, Kevin Dale.  

“Cruiseco is 100 per cent engaged in the cruise sector so to continue Steve’s work with someone that has not only clear business acumen but also a professional and personal passion for cruising is fortunate indeed.”

Outgoing CEO Steve Lloyd shared Dale’s view.

“I’m more than happy to be passing the mantle to Amanda,” he said.

“It is important to me that Cruiseco remains totally focussed in delivering original and innovative cruise product and I have absolute confidence that this will happen under Amanda’s management.”

It is planned that McClelland will take over the CEO’s role by the end of July with Lloyd steadily reducing involvement over the coming months as projects are finalised or transitioned.

Meet Aurora Expeditions New Team Appointments

Dianna Schinella

Michael Woods

Mark Lee

Ania Baranek

Aurora Expeditions, Australian adventure travel company, has announced it is expanding its Sydney-based team with a series of new staff appointments.

A number of new and existing positions have recently been filled by a selection of experienced professionals, all bringing extensive experience within the travel and tourism industry.

Dianna Schinella has been appointed to the new role of Industry Sales and Marketing Manager and will be responsible for managing and developing Aurora Expeditions strategic trade partnerships.

Schinella brings over 15 years of sales and marketing experience across a broad range of travel products including New Caledonia Tourism, Globus Family of Brands and, most recently, Rocky Mountaineer.

Trade partners are invited to contact Schinella at dianna@auroraexpeditions.com.au or on 1800 637 688.

Michael Woods has taken up the new role of Brand Marketing Manager to lead the company’s branding strategy.

Woods brings more than 20 years’ travel industry experience, most recently heading up the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority and Turismo Chile accounts for global communications agency Hill+Knowlton Strategies.

Mark Lee brings over 10 years’ travel industry experience to the new role of Product Manager and will be responsible for developing the company’s already exciting range of products, itineraries and packages.

Lee previously held the role of Product Manager with Insider Journeys (formerly Travel Indochina).

Within the Aurora Travel Agency Services team, Dominic Sasse joins the team from STA Travel as Reservations Manager and Christopher Bryan comes onboard as Reservations Consultant. Both will be responsible for servicing Aurora Expeditions direct clients and agency partners.

Finally, Ania Baranek joins the team as Expedition Team Coordinator, bringing eight years of guiding experience to assist in the recruitment and development of Aurora Expeditions world-class team of destination and expedition specialists.