Flavour of the week
See who’s moving, who’s shaking and who’s shimmying their way in and out of the travel industry this week.
Singita appoints Taryn Van Heerden as general manager: sales
Singita is delighted to announce the appointment of Taryn van Heerden as the new General Manager: Sales. Taryn is taking over from Caroline Burke, who is moving into a new role as Singita’s General Manager: Business Development.
After many years managing the global sales team, Caroline will now be focusing on business development and strategic, accelerated growth in new regions. This, as Singita expands its reach in pursuit of its 100-year purpose to preserve and protect large areas of iconic African wilderness for future generations.
Hotel Indigo Bali Seminyak Beach Welcomes New General Manager
Hotel Indigo Bali Seminyak Beach is delighted to announce that Jean Hélière has been appointed as the hotel’s new general manager.
Hélière began his career at IHG in 2013 at InterContinental Tahiti Resort and Spa as an executive assistant manager.
Treading his path at one of the world’s largest hotel groups—where he demonstrated his skills in leadership, effectiveness and efficiency in managing all aspects of hotel’s operations—his career quickly rose as he was promoted to General Manager at InterContinental Moorea Resort and Spa in 2015, and was awarded General Manager of The Year in 2018 by InterContinental Hotels and Resorts Southeast Asia and Korea.
Ovolo Hotels set for future growth with the appointment of group director F&B
Designer hotel collection, Ovolo Group today announced the appointment of their new group director of food and beverage, Vincent Lombino who will oversee the restaurant and bars across both Ovolo Hotels and micro-hotel concept Mojo Nomad.
Vincent will work with the restaurant’s collaborating culinary partners which include renowned chefs Justin North, Ian Curley & Hetty McKinnon, executive chefs and bar managers to curate exciting and innovative menus that reflect Ovolo’s philosophy and offering. He will also focus on new developments across the hotels, creating vibrant new concepts and implementing the highest standard.
Sabre appoints Sean McDonald as vice president, online travel for its Travel Network business
Sabre Corporation (NASDAQ: SABR) has appointed Sean McDonald to lead worldwide sales, commercial operations, business development and solution delivery for online travel agencies (OTAs), metasearch engines and other digital travel companies for its Travel Network business.
In his role, McDonald will build upon the company’s proven results in the online segment and help accelerate growth by winning new customers and increasing the company’s footprint with current accounts.
McDonald comes to Sabre from a role as chief commercial officer at BD4travel, a technology company that delivers AI-driven personalisation and conversion enhancement solutions to online travel companies. Prior to that, McDonald was chief sales officer at Secret Escapes, and served as senior vice president of sales at Expedia Affiliate Network (EAN). In his new role, McDonald will be based in Sabre’s London office and will report to Roshan Mendis, chief commercial officer of Sabre Travel Network.
The Unique Tourism Collection Appointed Australia and New Zealand Representative for The Table Bay, Cape Town
The Unique Tourism Collection has been appointed Australia and New Zealand representative for The Table Bay in Cape Town, South Africa.
The Sydney-based travel and tourism marketing and communication specialist will be responsible for sales, marketing and media activity working closely with industry partners and media and developing strategic opportunities for driving business from Australia and New Zealand to The Table Bay.
The Table Bay is part of Sun International’s premium SunLux Collection of hotels and touted as Cape Town’s Best Address. Set on the historic Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, with the working harbour, Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean providing its backdrop, The Table Bay offers convenient proximity to Cape Town’s business centre and tourist attractions.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
Flavour of the Week industry appointmentsLatest News
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Intrepid & Korean Tourism Organisation team up to give agents a cooking masterclass
These guys learnt that Korean cooking is more than just putting kimchi on 2-minute noodles (as we once thought).
Winner, winner! Intrepid reveals the 9 lucky agents that won $2k
Who won the incentive? Which Intrepid trip will they spend it on? What day of the week is it again? Where am I? Huh?
Corporate Traveller reports 42% increase in Easter traffic this year
Business travellers just love Easter! Expect plenty of chocolate stained documents returning to the office on Tuesday.
Turbulent year wiped $384m off Qantas brand value: Report
Meanwhile, eating tuna at your desk can damage your own personal office brand value by several thousand dollars.
FAMIL: Room-Res & Singapore Tourism Board shows agents the Lion City’s roar
Click this article to see a man very impressed by a 20-layer chocolate cake. We're not kidding, he loved it!
Oceania Cruises offers sailors free pre-cruise hotel stay
Looking for ways to make your holidays as long as possible? Look no further.
Bonza launches new website to compliment app, agent portal
Does news about an airline's website fill you with ecstasy, glee and joy? Get your hit of the good stuff here.
MTA agents attends ‘Lunch ‘n’ Learn’ with AMA Waterways
When organising the event, Lunch 'n' Learn beat out Dinner 'n' Divulge and Breakfast 'n' Banter. Understandably so.
Travelmarvel reveals 2025 South America tours
If you spot any typos in the newsletter today it is because TW became distracted Googling images of Machu Picchu.
Tourists from 5 countries could be BANNED from visiting Australia
Anthony Albanese's immigration laws could impact tourism from certain countries.
Just how many passengers will Qantas & Jetstar hop around this Easter?
Airline workers are ready for gleeful Easter travellers! Also prepared for sticky children with chocolate on their face.
Air New Zealand gets ready for bumper Easter weekend
Air NZ gears up for travelling passengers this Easter, while TW looks to beat our egg eating record. 117 here we come!
Four Seasons Yachts reveals first itineraries to the Caribbean & Mediterranean
These trips look so good we wish there were five seasons! Alright, we'll see ourselves out...
FAMIL: Travellers Choice treats top agents to the wonders of Rotorua
This one's got plenty of famil pics and no one looks shockingly hungover in them! Clearly no TW staffers were there.
European Waterways celebrates 50th anniversary with week-long founders cruise
Plan on celebrating your 50th anniversary with a bottle of Moët and fairy bread? European Waterways has better ideas.
100th route! Jetstar celebrates the launch of Brisbane-Avalon with 12 hour sale
Jetstar knocks a ton and celebrates with a sale while TW once scored a ton and celebrated with about 17 beers.
Record-breaking year for NSW as visitor expenditure soars past $50 billion
Enjoy running round the Opera House? Be prepared to elbow even more tourists out the way.
Norwegian Cruise Line makes play for solo travellers
NCL ensuring you don't have to go trawling Tinder to find a cruise partner. Thank goodness, we were sick of catfishing.
Entire Travel Group’s Canada and Europe 2024/25 brochures are out now
Entire's new brochure is bittersweet; it both informs your clients and makes you envious of the holiday they'll take.
Malaysia Airlines adds 3 new destinations & A330neo seats
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Two divine days onboard Crystal Serenity
It's only pure serenity onboard this ship. Anxiety, agitation and anguish have been rejected by the bouncer.
How the Globus Family of Brands elevates coach touring: Travel Weekly TV with Chris Fundell
Chris' here so you don't think coaches mean peeling your thighs off a sticky leather seat every time you stand up!
The Flight Centre Foundation gears up for massive 2024 with 3 new board members
The foundation looks to invest $200k this year, spurring the TW journos to figure out how to qualify as a charity.
Barking Owl Communications to head up Anantara & Avani in ANZ
Fellow PR competitors had been barking up the wrong tree even thinking of bidding for this job!
Amex GBT to purchase CWT for $871m
It's big deals like this that get a firm handshake - hence the sore hands over at the CWT and Amex GBT offices.
1000MTG’s second global conference reminds agents to ‘strive and thrive’
Alongside messages to 'strive' and 'thrive' were those to 'survive', 'drive', 'arrive' and 'jive' (when appropriate).
Qantas A330 makes “loud bang”, pilots forced to shut down one engine
Qantas refusing to let Boeing have all the headlines in aviation world today!
GX Community Tourism Summit 2024 location revealed!
The new location has arrived and it'll blow your socks off! Time for another trip to Target for more socks then.
Visiting the destination my Mum didn’t want me to
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Agents come out of their shells at P&O’s turtle hatchery event
For some, it's a few glasses of bubbles to lure them out of their shell. For these agents, it was a bit more literal.
Boeing cleanout: CEO, chair to go as safety crisis plagues the manufacturer
CEOs are falling thick and fast these days. We should have started up a bingo game with their headshots in the office.
Virgin looks to swap MAX 10 order for MAX 8s amid Boeing delays: Reports
Virgin has changed its order for something smaller. Much like we have to at Maccas following a worrying doctor's visit.
Club Med unveils newest luxury yacht for 2024/25 early bird sale
This yacht is preserved for the early birds! Night Owls may also get onboard depending how late they stay up.
Abercrombie & Kent 2024 Asia Portfolio is here
Round up the family and get planning an Asia jaunt. Or, if they're hard to handle, brush them all and go it alone!
Elevate your earnings: Final days to secure double commission with Inspiring Vacations’ March offer
What could inspire you to sell more Inspiring Vacations? Double commission of course! That's all the inspiration needed.