Flavour of the Week
Didn’t get much done this week? Feel free to live vicariously through these high achievers.
Six Senses New York appoints Rebecca Soloff as director sales and marketing
Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas is pleased to announce the appointment of Rebecca Soloff as director of sales and marketing at Six Senses New York, the group’s first North American property which is currently under development. Soloff joins Six Senses following a posting as director of sales and marketing at The Mark Hotel, New York.
With over 17 years of experience in sales and marketing, Soloff strengthened her skills and relationships at The New York Palace Hotel and The Lowell Hotel, New York which grew her experience into the role of director of sales and marketing.
Soloff graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Communications from the State University of New York at Albany. She finds time in her professional life to pursue a range of activities, many of which run parallel to the Six Senses attitude to health and well-being. Having practiced yoga for 15 years, Soloff included an intensive one-month course of ayurveda and yoga in India; she loves to cook and has a bent towards vegetarian dishes; and she is a member of HER, a global network empowering and supporting women.
RoomIt by CWT appoints James Colquhoun VP of finance and CFO
RoomIt by CWTÒ, the hotel distribution division of CWT, the B2B4E travel management platform, has appointed James Colquhoun VP of Finance and CFO.
Colquhoun will be based at RoomIt by CWTÒ’s Chicago headquarters. He is a proven leader in the hospitality and travel industry, with senior roles in partnerships, business development, distribution, finance, operations and marketing, including more than ten years with Hyatt Hotels.
His expertise lies in improving revenue and profitability for both large corporations and start-ups, developing and executing disruptive strategies in the digital and distribution space, negotiating partnerships, and managing change.
Born in the UK and now a US citizen, Colquhoun holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Bristol.
New appointments for Voyages board
Chairman Rick Allert today announced the appointment of three new members to the Voyages board of directors.
Dana Ronan
Senior tourism professional Dana Ronan has held positions with a range of tourism companies including Discovery Holiday Parks, Voyages Hotels and Resorts, travel.com.au, the APT Group and AAT Kings, as well as her own business the Twelve Apostles Lodge Walk. Dana is currently on the board of Visit Ballarat, Victoria Walks and advises the boards of several private family tourism businesses.
Daniel Tucker
Aboriginal leader and founding managing director of Carey Mining, the largest 100 percent Indigenous owned and managed contracting company in Australia, Daniel Tucker is a Wongatha/Mirning man and an inaugural member of the Prime Ministers Indigenous Advisory Council and has previously served on the Council of Curtin University as well as on the boards of a number of private, not for profit and publicly listed companies.
Andrew McEvoy
Andrew McEvoy is a former managing director and CEO of Tourism Australia and former managing director of Fairfax Life Media and Events. Andrew is currently also chairman of Sealink Travel Group, a director of Ingenia communities, chairman of AATS (Skybus), chairman of the Tourism and Transport Forum (TTF) and a director of the Lux Group.
American Express Global Business Travel appoints new general manager for meetings and events division
American Express Global Business Travel (GBT) has appointed Gerardo Tejado as general manager of American Express Meetings & Events, a division of GBT. In his new role, Tejado will report to GBT’s executive vice president of Global Supplier Relations Michael Qualantone and be based in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Tejado replaces Issa Jouaneh, who after leading the globalisation and expansion of the American Express Meetings & Events business over the last decade, is leaving to pursue other interests.
CWT appoints David Holmes as VP of payments
CWT, the B2B4E travel management platform, has appointed David Holmes as VP of Payments.
Holmes will be based in Miami. A US national, Holmes most recently led global commercial strategy at UATP, the airline-owned payment network. Holmes is a senior commercial and payments leader with almost 18 years of travel payments and travel FinTech experience.
He holds an MBA in International Finance from the University of Miami – School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from George Mason University.
Experienced hotel exec appointed as new GM of Darwin Convention Centre
An executive with extensive experience in international hotels, the professional services industry and law has been appointed the new general manager of the Darwin Convention Centre.
Peter Savoff will fill the role following the recent promotion of previous GM Janet Hamilton to manage the Cairns Convention Centre.
Savoff joins the AEG Ogden Family from the Anthony John Property Group where he managed the Emporium Hotel since opening in 2007. Under his leadership, the Emporium has become one of Australia’s leading independent hotel brands, winning numerous major industry awards.
Before that, Savoff served as Chief Executive for McInnes Wilson Lawyers, was marketing director for the InterContinental Hotels Group for Queensland, Northern Territory, and Papua New Guinea after many years in senior management, and then general manager of IHG Hotels in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Cairns.
Ensemble announces new general manager for Australia and New Zealand
Ensemble Travel Group has today confirmed Katy Muyt as General Manager Australia and New Zealand.
North America-based Ensemble Travel® Group is a leading global provider of luxury and experiential travel products and services which has seen significant growth in Asia Pacific in recent years particularly in Australia.
Katy has been with Ensemble Travel Group as Senior Director Sales and Supplier Relations Australia / New Zealand for over three years and will be stepping into her new role immediately.
With 34 years in the industry, Katy brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the role having held Senior Management roles within the Travel Franchise Management sector, Aviation and Travel Management Services. These roles include Head of Corporate Development, American Express Franchise Network; General Manager Australia/New Zealand and New Caledonia for Finnair; and General Manager Australia/New Zealand for Qantas Business Travel.
The St. Regis Bangkok announces key executive appointments
The St. Regis Bangkok welcomes two senior members to its team, filling the key positions of executive pastry chef and director of sales.
Prachaya Basset brings with her more than 15 years of experience in refined hospitality, most recently with Mandarin Oriental Bangkok.
No stranger to the hotel, she was previously with The St. Regis Bangkok as account director from 2012-2013. She has also worked with a number of other luxury brands in Bangkok, including Conrad and InterContinental.
In her new role as director of sales at The St. Regis Bangkok, she will be working closely with both revenue and marketing teams to develop strategic customer segments and maintain overall positioning of the hotel.
Anupong Nualchawee, known as Chef Aey, joins The St. Regis Bangkok from The Athenee Hotel, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok, where in his role as executive pastry chef as part of the hotel’s rebranding team, he oversaw the pastry and dessert menus for all restaurant outlets and banquets.
Prior to that, he was part of the pre-opening team at Le Méridien Suvarnabhumi, Bangkok Golf Resort & Spa. He has also held stints at other hotels in Bangkok, Koh Samui, and as executive personal chef for Royal Family at Chakri Bongkot Thai Royal Palace in Nonthaburi, Thailand. In his new role as executive pastry chef at The St. Regis Bangkok, Anupong will be leading the pastry culinary team to develop the pastry and desserts menu in the hotel’s restaurants and bars.
Latest News
Australia fails to make top 10 destination list for American travellers
Australia's top cities have failed to make the grade with American travellers this northern summer, with no local city in the top.
APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures
APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]
ANZAC Battlefield travel on the 2025 bucketlist
As Anzac Day dawns, agents prepare for a surge in bookings for the 110th anniversary of the Anzac Cove landings.
Former Channel 9 Getaway host and founder of TRIBE Jules Lund to speak at Travel DAZE
From blond-tipped travel reporter to Travel DAZE speaker, Jules Lund cuts through the BS.
HX’s Roald Amundsen finds aliens in the Antarctic
Forget whales, HX's MS Roald Amundsen captures aliens in the Antarctic - and they're not pretty.
Mayhem in France as 70% of flights face cancellation
I mean it wouldn't be France if there wasn't at least one strike.
Etihad Airways launches double-decker service with world’s only in-air three-room suite
We imagine falling asleep in the three-room suite is superior to falling asleep on your neighbour's shoulder.
Norwegian Cruise Line launches 2024 Europe travel season
Europe certainly has a lot of ports. Its time for Australia to up its game.
“The power of travel for positive change” – Intrepid’s Jenny Gray hails controversial all-women Saudi Arabia trip
There is an awful lot to love about this tour from Intrepid. Where do we sign up?
Princess names the Sun, unveils Sanctuary Collection + Star Princess to Alaska in ’26
A huge bottle of Veuve was smashed into the side of the ship to make things official. So no, we couldn't snag a glass.
Collette special offers across peak northern summer season
If you are craving a trip to Europe then grab this deal with both of your grubby hands.
Air India and All Nippon codeshare between the two countries
Here at TW we agreed that the photo would have worked better if they had swapped planes.
A&K offers minimum 18 weeks paid parental leave
Contrary to what the photo suggests this benefit is only applicable for humans. Back to work Mrs Jumbo.
NH Hotel Group rebrands as Minor Hotels Europe & Americas
Hang around the bends of the hotels. We imagine they will be full of a lot of branded content.
Scenic Eclipse II – the business of creating unforgettable life-changing memories
These cruise brothers from another mother offer a view of cruising on Scenic Eclipse II that is poles apart.
MSC builds new hospital ship with Mercy Ships
If you want to read a story that puts a smile on your face then this is the one for you.
“I peed on myself watching this” – Social media users squirm at Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of The Seas 55ft dive video
TW is not responsible for any involuntary actions your body might have after watching this video.
FLIGHT REVIEW: Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner business class
The real bonus is you're unlikely to be around screaming children. Hoorah!
Traveltek offers travel agents new rapid deploy cruise website
As always, if you have any issue with the platform, just turn it off and on again.
Experience whale watching & classical music at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville
Disappointedly, the whales do not start singing in tune with the orchestra. Opportunity missed.
Fond, very Fond. London hotel famed for James Bond link adds ‘Classic Comforts’ lunch menu
James Bond author Ian Fleming was so fond if this hotel, it inspired the legendary phrase ‘shaken, not stirred’.
What sets Eclipse Travel apart with Africa expert Hilary Dubyk: Travel Weekly TV
If you want to know more about Africa, then Hilary Dubyk is your person.
Surge in Australians visiting Japan
Feel like all of your friends have just returned from Europe? Now it's Japan.
Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit
Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]
Sydney named 17th best place to work remotely
If you struggle to get a seat within Sydney's coffee shops, you now know why.
W Melbourne grows sales team
We appreciate the thought that has gone into this team photo.
Cunard welcomes new ship Queen Anne
This might be the most impressive ship handover in ship handover history.
Intrepid Travel appoints Yvette Thompson as general manager sales & marketing ANZ
It isn't end-of-day Monday and Yvette Thompson has already nabbed herself an impressive promotion.
Anna Fawcett re-joins Global Touring in newly-created APAC role
With such an impressive CV, Global Touring is no doubt thrilled to have Fawcett back.
“We know our response has been far from perfect” – Emirates’ open letter following Dubai flooding
If you also need to write an apology letter, then this is a pretty good template.
Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa
Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]
Virgin Australia’s HILARIOUS second instalment of the ‘Bring on Wonderful’ campaign
We don't use the word 'hilarious' lightly, but this is worthy of the title.
Visit Sunshine Coast reveals new brand identity
If you were looking for another reason to visit the Sunshine Coast then this is it.
Sofitel launches brand campaign starring Sex Education’s Gillian Anderson
We can confirm the content of this video is less spicy than Sex Education.
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!