We love how organised these newbies are, beginning a new job at the start of a new year. We still haven’t brought in washing from last year.

IHG Appoints Leanne Harwood as Managing Director, Australasia and Japan

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) today announces the appointment of Leanne Harwood to the role of Managing Director, Australasia and Japan.

She will be replacing Karin Sheppard, who moves to London to take on the new position as IHG’s Managing Director, Europe.

Leanne is one of IHG’s Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia (EMEAA) senior leaders and will be responsible for the operations, growth and performance of more than 70 hotels in the Australasia and Japan Business Unit. In her role as Managing Director she will oversee the regional teams in Sydney and Tokyo as they continue their growth momentum in Australasia and prepare for the 2019 Rugby World Cup and 2020 Olympics in Japan.

India & Asia product veteran Eric Finley joins Adventure World

With over twenty years wholesale and destination management industry experience across Australia and Asia, with previous roles covering tour leadership, ground operations, national sales/marketing and product management, Eric Finley joins tailor-made specialist Adventure World to helm their India & Asia product portfolios.

Most recently, Eric has spent the last 12 years as a Senior Product Manager for Asia at Insider Journeys (formerly Travel Indochina), with extensive first-hand travel experience across the Asia region. He has travelled to over 60 countries with extensive travel experience in Indochina where he was based for 5 years in addition to over 20 visits so far to India. Eric has a specific passion and interest in wildlife conservation and photography, experiences he plans to build into most trips.

Vito Romeo joins Wendy Wu tours in new state sales manager role

Wendy Wu Tours, Australia’s leading Asia tour operator and winner of the 2017 NTIA Award for Best Specialty Wholesaler is delighted to announce the appointment of Vito Romeo to the newly created role of State Sales Manager VIC & TAS.

This brand new role has been created in response to the huge amount of growth that the tour operator has experienced in the key source markets of Victoria & Tasmania. General Manager Steve Richards said: “We’ve seen dramatic growth in the number of passengers joining us from VIC & TAS, with departures ex-Melbourne at an all-time high.

“This new role will enable the retail trade in these key states to be better supported to grow their outbound Asia business, through regional-specific materials and promotions.”

CLIA Australasia Appoints New Training & Development Manager

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia has announced the appointment of Troy Ashman as Training & Development Manager.

With over eight years’ experience in the travel and hospitality industry, Ashman will be responsible for continuing the development of the new eLearning features released last year by CLIA, as well as the expansion of additional training resources and guides for travel agent members.

Ashman joins the organisation after a long stint at Scenic, where most recently he was responsible for the development of the company’s global staff training program.

Kakadu Tourism appoints James Robinson to head sales & marketing

Kakadu Tourism has appointed James Robinson as its new Sales & Marketing Executive, based in the group’s Darwin office.

James Robinson has extensive experience in the tourism and hospitality sector, joining Kakadu Tourism from from Darwin tourism group, Redco Investments, which is responsible for operating one of Darwin’s premier attractions, Crocosaurus Cove, along with accommodation venues: the Value Inn and Melaleuca on Mitchell.

Prior to that, Mr Robinson worked with leading Australia/New Zealand backpacker company, BASE Backpackers, where he held various management positions in hostels in Australia and New Zealand.

Centara appoints new Business Development VP to support expansion

Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, announced the appointment of Allen Thomas as Vice President Business Development, effective January 1^st. Thomas a French national has 28 years of experience developing hotel and resort businesses, a career that includes positions with HPL, Como Hotels and most recently Resorts Holdings International.

Six Senses Laamu Appoints Stefan Goehcke as Executive Chef

Six Senses Laamu is pleased to announce the appointment of Stefan Goehcke as executive chef.

Chef Stefan started the culinary career in his native Germany in 2001. After working under some of the finest chefs in Europe, Stefan’s expertise and services as a head chef were devoted to top resorts such as the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort in Vietnam, Anse Chastanet and Jade Mountain resorts in St. Lucia as well as Gili Lankanfushi and Baros in the Maldives.