Internal shift as Mantra plots expansion

Internal shift as Mantra plots expansion
By admin


The internal restructuring of the Mantra Group continues as the hotel firm confirmed the appointment of an executive director of sales, marketing and distribution.

Former group director of sales and revenue, Kent Davidson, takes on the role which will centralise Mantra's sales, marketing and revenue streams with the aim of creating a "cohesive approach" as it continues to expand within Asia Pacific.

The move follows the redundancies of director of marketing, Ken Minnikin, and Luke Jamieson, general manager distribution last month – both long-serving with the company.

The aim of the reshuffle is to ensure the business is in the "best position" to accommodate growth and to continue to deliver results in a competitive market, according to chief executive Bob East.

"We work in a highly competitive market and our ability to bring strong returns to our owners is because we have a structure and business model in place that is performing very well in current conditions," he said.

"The Group will benefit from the expertise of Kent Davidson to oversee the new structure as his overall knowledge of the business – including his involvement with the Mantra brand concept and his early relationship with the Peppers portfolio – is invaluable as we undertake strategic expansion over the next 12 months."

Meanwhile, Davidson insisted that centralisation of key revenue functions would ensure the "best utilisation" of Mantra's financial and human resources.

"We have an outstanding quality of people across our revenue platforms," he said. "We are at that place in the lifecycle of Mantra Group where it's appropriate to bring them together to realise benefits for all stakeholders."

The Group plans to grow its 114-property portfolio with a further seven properties in Indonesia and 10 in Australia and New Zealand over the next 12 months.

Latest News

  • Destinations

On Location: Rejoice! It’s Your Daily Wrap Of Africa’s Travel Indaba

South Africa this year commemorates 30 years of freedom and democracy. It is fitting then that Africa’s Travel Indaba (ATI) takes place this week in Durban at a venue named after one of South Africa’s foremost proponents of freedom, Albert Luthuli. Patricia de Lille, Minister of Tourism, South Africa said ATI represented a celebration of […]

  • Tourism

Lack of budget spend will hit international visitor recovery, says Australian Tourism Industry Council

The Australian Tourism Industry Council has expressed disappointment in the 2024 Federal Budget that rejected a submission advocating for a major funding increase for Tourism Australia to recover international tourism. “The Federal Budget 2024 has not invested in our international tourism recovery,” ATIC said in a response to Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers decisions. ATIC members, which […]

  • Conferences

Expedia CEO assures AI will not replace human roles, announces AI text assistant

Travel giant Expedia has wasted no time unveiling several new features and products at its EXPLORE conference in Las Vegas, including the world’s first AI chatbot Romie. As to be expected, AI has been one of the key topics of discussion. Expedia CEO Ariane Gorin put fears to bed around its power and ability to […]

  • Aviation

Top four airports report return to profit after post-Covid period comes to an end

The aeronautical operations of Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney airports returned to profit in 2022-23, the first full financial year since the end of COVID-19 travel restrictions, the ACCC’s latest Airport Monitoring Report shows. In contrast, all four monitored airports reported losses on their aeronautical operations in 2021-22. A return to profit was helped by […]

  • Luxury

COMO launches new family-sized farmhouse in the heart of Tuscany

COMO Hotels and Resorts has launched its new farmhouse apartments in the heart of Tuscany, just in time for Australians to escape our wet winter. And it’s also an ideal time for Aussies of Italian ancestry to explore their home country as 2024 has been declared the year of Roots and Heritage Tourism by the […]

  • Aviation

Green light, green fuel for Townsville Airport as passenger numbers set to double to 3.7m

The Townsville Airport Master Plan, including the expansion of the airport terminal and development of the surrounding precinct, has been given the green light by the Federal Government. The 2023 plan outlined Townsville Airport’s strategic vision and growth objectives over the next two decades, with a detailed focus on the initial eight years. Townsville Airport […]

  • Destinations
  • News

New Caledonia in lockdown and airport closed after violent riots rock Noumea

New Caledonia officials have announced a 6pm-6am curfew, a liquor ban and have closed the country’s main airport after overnight riots in which vehicles were torched and roads blocked in the wake of proposed constitutional reforms. Australian Government website Smartraveller has issued an alert informing visitors to exercise a high degree of caution in metropolitan […]