Flavour of the week
Take a look at this impressive list of industry movers and shakers. The most impressive thing we’ve done lately is turning up to work on time.
Metro Hotels appoints new BDM for NSW and Victoria
Metro Hotels has appointed Sri Kodali to the role of Business Development Manager for NSW and Victoria.
In this role Sri is responsible for maintaining and growing the domestic leisure, corporate and government business for Metro Hospitality Group’s properties in Sydney and Melbourne.
With more than 15 years experience in the industry, Sri was previously Regional Sales Manager NSW/Victoria for Oakwood Asia Pacific and Director of Sales & Marketing for APX Hotels & Apartments.
AgencyB&Co appointed to Sydney Airport’s retail portfolio
AgencyB&Co has been appointed to the dynamic Sydney Airport account as the airport continues to undergo transformational upgrades to the retail, food and dining portfolio – enhancing the experience for the more than 44.4 million passengers a year.
AgencyB&Co, Managing Director, Sally Burleigh says her team are excited to be working with Sydney Airport in 2019, driving media and consumer awareness of the new shopping and dining experience across T1 International and T2 and T3 Domestic.
The agency will support the Sydney Airport team on a number of significant projects across the year releasing content and information on the retail precincts in T1, T2 and T3 including new store openings, designs and activations.
Six Senses Fiji Appoints Frans Westraadt as General Manager
Six Senses Fiji is pleased to announce the appointment of Frans Westraadt as general manager of the resort. Frans brings with him extensive experience in top-tier resorts and excellent leadership skills.
Frans started with Six Senses in 2014 as the resident manager at Six Senses Laamu where he had the opportunity to mentor under General Manager Marteyne van Well. Frans then moved on to Six Senses Yao Noi, as resort manager, in 2018 where he worked under General Manager Graham Grant. Prior to Six Senses, Frans held various leadership positions in operational roles and has overseen luxury lodges and resorts in Namibia, the Maldives and Seychelles. Through these roles he has developed a great passion for hospitality and guest experiences.
Frans studied Hotel Management at the University of South Africa and completed the Cornell University’s Strategic Leadership for Hospitality Professional. He is multilingual and speaks English, German and Afrikaans. A Namibian native, Frans grew up on a farm and he loves the outdoors. He has dived with the great whites and his next mission is to track down polar bears in the wild and would be excited if he could see a Yeti on the way! Frans also holds a private pilot license.
New Business Development Team Members for Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises have announced the appointment of two travel industry professionals, Rebecca Scaffidi and Carlos Rodrigues, to their business development teams. Scaffidi takes the role of Business Development manager for Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises in WA and NT, with Rodrigues acting as a temporary Business Development Executive for Regent Seven Seas Cruises in NSW and ACT.
Scaffidi brings over a decade of travel industry knowledge and experience to the role, where she will operate as a key contact for Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises’ WA and NT based travel partners. Ms Scaffidi previously worked for Singapore Airlines as a Sales Executive and has been nominated twice for the NTIA AFTA Awards, where she was a finalist under the Rookie Of The Year category.
Rodrigues also has over a decade’s worth of travel industry experience and holds a bachelor’s degree in Tourism. He joined Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings in May 2018, working as part of the outbound team and as Operations Support for the inbound team. Previously Mr Rodrigues worked for Viking River & Ocean Cruises where he was a Cruise Sales Consultant.
Rodrigues has now transitioned into acting business development executive for Regent Seven Seas Cruises, where he will operate as a key contact for the line’s NSW and ACT based travel partners. He takes on the temporary role while Linda Seiersen, Business Development Manager for NSW & ACT, is on extended leave due to health reasons.
Adventure World Travel strengthens team and service
Adventure World Travel is strengthening its team with two new appointments, and delighted to announce Andy Kirkman, to the role of Head of Sales and Rebecca Arnold to the role of Sales Manager for WA, SA and the NT.
With over 12 years of industry experience across the retail, tour operator and wholesale sectors, Andy is dedicated to the travel industry which shows in both his enthusiasm and professional awards. Andy has also been nominated for Best Sales Executive at the prestigious NTIA’s two years in a row, in both 2016 and 2017.
Most recently, Andy has spent the last five years as Adventure World’s Sales Manager in WA, SA and NT, with extensive first-hand travel experience of the Adventure World Travel brand and its ethos. Andy has a passion for eco-travel, having completed volunteer work in Indonesia and in 2018, ticked off his seventh and final continent, with an expedition cruise to Antarctica.
Rebecca Arnold brings across to Adventure World, over five years of travel industry experience, having recently been a travel consultant in SA. Her passion for travel is evident in her curiosity in learning about other cultures and customs, with particular interest in both Cambodia and India. In 2016, Rebecca also escorted a group along the challenging Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea.
Hilton Adelaide welcomes Rupert Hallam, newly appointed general manager
Rupert Hallam has been appointed as general manager of Hilton Adelaide, joining the team with more than 25 years in hospitality and tourism, and with a wealth of experience across all facets of hotel management.
Rupert Hallam has been with Hilton for more than 19 years and whilst he is British by birth, 10 years of living across Australia, prompted him and his family to call Australia ‘home’.
Hallam is a passionate hospitality and tourism industry executive with more than 25 years’ worth of international experience working for Hilton in the Asia Pacific region. Prior to this role Rupert was Vice President of Sales for Hilton Asia Pacific, based in Singapore.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
Flavour of the Week industry appointmentsLatest News
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!
Globally-renowned chefs gather for Vivid Food 2024
As a human, we agree that food is a fundamental part of the human experience. Some might say the most fundamental.
Air New Zealand returns to Hobart and Seoul
If you notice an uptick in Kiwis making their way through the Mona, you know why.
European Waterways targets multi-generational families with ‘floating villa’ deal
The jury is still out on whether spending a week on a 'floating villa' with family is a hell or a paradise.
Luxury Escapes launches ‘sail away’ sale
Rest assured, you'll be getting your 'sails' and 'sales' mixed up for the rest of the day.
Rex-owned National Jet Express adds weekly charter between Brisbane and Orange
This is for mining and civil contractors, so please, put your holiday attire away.
Let the games begin. Viking introduces eye-watering benefits for the industry’s top 10 advisors
Did someone say 'trip to Venice'? Hold my coat, this one is far too good to miss!
Best friends or frenemies? What is the REAL relationship between sales and marketing?
We can all stop fighting over the corner office because our mothers were right - we are all important in our own way.
The Walshe Group Announces Two Key Appointments
What we really want to know is whether they got joint or separate welcome parties.
FAMIL: Agents explore the delights of Mauritius on 7-day tour
Go green with envy as you read this fabulous itinerary! Time to book that second honeymoon.
Hamad International recognised as world’s best airport at 2024 Skytrax World Airport Awards
Hamad airport is so good it is almost considered a destination in itself. Ballina, up your game.
Saudi Arabia highlights tourism investment opportunities at global investment event
Now is the time to start looking at Saudi Arabia if you are not already. There's big things to come.
“Rampant” – Aussies warned as dengue fever cases spike in Bali
Worried about Bali belly? Now you have something else to worry about.
TTC Tour Brand reveals slew of deals across operators including Trafalgar and Contiki
Everybody loves a bargain and you could do lot a lot worse than check out these deals from TTC!
Fiji Airways partners with Porter Airlines in US growth bid
Any initiative that gets more people visiting the delights of Fiji is a good initiative.
Flight Centre launches CruiseHQ – a marketplace exclusively for agents
The cruise industry has surpassed pre-Covid levels so this isn't one to miss!
Feeling festive? Wendy Wu tours unwraps Christmas collection
Get the Christmas hols booked now and avoid spending it with that elderly relative with dubious political views.
OPINION: In a world of screens, we crave experience
If you get feelings of deep shame and regret when you see your screen time, don't worry - you're not alone.
Sun Princess: High-end dining and world class entertainment awaits
If you are a foodie and you are not currently on the Sun Princess, we really have to ask - what are you doing?
YouGov: 2 in 5 Aussies would pay more for a sustainable hotel
If you want to be REALLY sustainable you can go camping. You just might lose the will to live.
“Can planes swim?” – Planes become boats as Dubai Airport is savaged by severe storm
Unfortunately, "can planes swim?" is a real life question and not an opener to a really bad joke...
Explora journeys reveals bespoke outdoor furniture designed by Matteo Nunziati
This is making your plastic table and chairs look really bad now, isn't it?
Bangkok Airways targets growth with renewed Sabre deal
Two stories abut Sabre's growth in one week and its only Wednesday! Watchout world.
PR agency Example wins pitch for InterContinental Sydney
We also went in for the contract but they said that a 'Be Our Guest'- themed TikTok was unoriginal! The cheek.
Norwegian Cruise Line reveals culinary experience aboard Norwegian Aqua
Once again, this TW journalist REALLY regrets writing this before getting lunch.
Signature Queensland hosts luxury tourism event
Known for its tropical beaches and unique wildlife, Queensland also offers luxury.
Capella Sydney recognised in prestigious Travel + Leisure’s 2024 ‘it list’ of best new hotels
You know that 'it girl' at school who everyone wanted to hang out with? Capella is the hotel version of that.
Rex launches 72-hour fare sale with NO school holiday blackout so you can take your kids (if you want to)
Sadly, leaving your children at home whilst you go on holiday is generally frowned upon.
Adventure World offers chance to connect with “heart and soul” of the US
I mean who hasn't dreamed of a road trip around the US?! Go with Adventure World and you're less likely to get lost.
Fiji’s family-owned luxury resort Likuliku Lagoon launches its own app
We were relieved to find out that having a "concierge in your pocket" referred to an app on your phone.
Hawaii: The US’ laid-back front door for Australians
If you needed another sign that you should definitely head to Hawaii - this is it!
Sabre targets Asia Pacific growth with latest hire
Call the Avengers! Sabre continues its bid for world domination with latest hire.
Air New Zealand signs its largest EVER deal for sustainable aviation fuel
Air New Zealand makes huge step towards sustainable travel. We bet it recycles its rubbish properly too.
IHG Hotels & Resorts continues regional growth with Sunshine Coast Holiday Inn
This Holiday Inn looks considerably flashier than some of the ones we have stayed at in our time.
Budget carrier Scoot welcomes first of 9 E190-E2 aircrafts
Here at TW we would like to offer Embraer E190-E2 a warm welcome! It's not easy being the first of the fleet.