Who’s moving, who’s shaking, and who’s dancing under the limbo stick? All is revealed in this week’s Flavour of the Week!

Tourism Fiji Appoints New Regional Manager

Tourism Fiji is pleased to announce the appointment of its new Regional Manager – Australia, Hal Caldwell.

With two decades of experience in marketing and branding roles across Australia, Asia Pacific and the United Kingdom, Hal now manages Tourism Fiji’s Australian consumer marketing activities, while working in close consultation with the tourism body’s Trade Partnerships Manager, Jason Sacriz, who commenced working with Tourism Fiji earlier this year.

Leading Tourism Fiji’s expanding team within the Australian office, Hal commenced his role this week.

“Fiji has so much to offer Australian holidaymakers and I’m honoured and raring to help inspire more Australians to discover Fiji’s unique appeal as a destination where happiness really does find you,” Hal Caldwell said.

Father to an energetic eight year old son, Hal is an avid traveller, surfer and cyclist.  Hal grew up in Hong Kong and describes himself as a lifelong fan of the Flying Fijians.

David Scowsill to leave WTTC in June 2017

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has announced the departure of David Scowsill, President & CEO, after six years at the helm of the organisation.

During his tenure as the third President in the 26 year history of WTTC, he has taken the organisation to new heights, championing the private sector views in high level governmental discussions and promoting the sustainable growth of Travel & Tourism.

“It has been a privilege to lead WTTC, representing the global interests of the private sector of Travel & Tourism, through advocacy with governments around the world. The membership of the organisation has doubled in the last period, but more significant has been the work with governments at all levels on the key strategic issues for the sector.”

Amongst the highlights of his time, the public/private partnership with UNWTO has produced 84 meetings with Presidents and Prime Ministers, where messages about the importance of the sector and key issues – from travel facilitation and terrorism, to infrastructure development and environmental sustainability – been directed to these key leaders.

Destination NSW appoints new General Manager of Communications

Destination NSW CEO Sandra Chipchase announced today that Ms Tamsyn Alley will be joining the Destination NSW team as General Manager Communications.

“Tamsyn brings extensive marketing and communications experience to assist us in the local and international promotion of NSW,” Chipchase said.

“Tamsyn has an impressive background in destination marketing and tourism content development and has held a number of senior, relevant roles with some of NZ and Australia’s largest companies such as Flight Centre, Stockland and SkyCity Entertainment group.

Alley said she was delighted to be joining the number one destination marketing and events organisation in Australia. She will take up her role prior to the Vivid Sydney festival.

New GM Commercial joins Air Vanuatu

Chief executive officer of the national carrier Joseph Laloyer has announced the appointment of Jeff Murdoch to the role of General Manager, commercial based in Port Vila.

Murdoch brings over 30 years airline experience to Air Vanuatu, including senior roles with Qantas, Air Niugini and Norfolk Air.

Murdoch’s previous roles include managing codeshare agreements, managing airports, being the Africa manager for Qantas and CEO or Norfolk Air.

New Executive Chef to showcase local produce at Crowne Plaza Christchurch

The new Crowne Plaza Christchurch is promising to showcase the best fresh local produce the city and region have to offer in its brand-new café, bar and restaurant.

Conveniently located in the vibrant heart of Christchurch, the hotel will feature the 80-seat Market Place restaurant and bar, its ground-floor Café 1851 and the upmarket Social Wine Bar.

Swiss-born chef Mirco Turtschi brings to the table a wealth of experience from hotels and restaurants in Switzerland and New Zealand, and said it was a “once in a lifetime” opportunity to set up a new hotel of this size.

“My overall vision for these three outlets is to capture a diverse audience at different times of the day and become known as a popular dining hub, for locals and visitors,” he said.

His wants to give locals and visitors the opportunity to discover the best fresh produce the city has to offer.

Chef Mirco’s culinary journey started at the age of 15 when he started his chef apprenticeship in a four-star hotel in Switzerland. Mirco came to New Zealand at the age of 26 where he honed his skills in cafes in Blenheim and Picton, before making the move to top Auckland hotels and then Queenstown.