Flavour of the Week
Get the paper plates ready and pour yourself a cup of tea, it’s time to welcome these new faces into the industry!
VOX S.p.A. announces appointment of John Boulding as CMO
POPGuide, the high performance mapping app and audio-guide system, today announced the appointment of John Boulding as CMO. This move is part of a major global expansion that sees Vox Group rapidly building its footprint across the wider tourism industry.
Elio Epifani, Vox Group President, said: “We are excited by the appointment. John and his marketing team are creating a world-wide sales force to distribute POPGuide through tour operators, attractions, hotels, travel agencies, MICE and institutions. John is a passionate leader and an expert in innovation and branding who brings 40 years’ global experience and connections as a senior travel industry executive to our group.”
RCL Cruises announces Asia Pacific leadership changes
Royal Caribbean has today announced the resignation of its Associate Vice President and Managing Director in Australia & New Zealand, Adam Armstrong.
Adam has been with the business since 2009, when Royal Caribbean opened its local office, and is leaving to pursue other interests, effective August 2018.
Adam first joined the company as Commercial Manager as one of the first locally-based employees. In 2016, he took on the role of Managing Director and has overseen a period of significant growth for the RCL family of brands, culminating with all three cruise lines – Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Azamara – sailing down under for the past three cruise seasons.
Preferred Hotels & Resorts strengthens female leadership with executive appointments
Lindsey Ueberroth, Chief Executive Officer of Preferred Hotels & Resorts — the world’s largest global provider of sales, marketing and distribution services to independent luxury hotels — today announced three executive appointments that mark a significant shift in the leadership structure of the family-owned and operated-company: Michelle Woodley has been promoted to President; Kristie Goshow has been named Chief Marketing Officer; and Caroline Michaud has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Corporate Communications & Public Relations.
With the luxury hospitality company celebrating its 50th anniversary milestone this year, these appointments come at a pivotal moment in Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ history and signal the Ueberroth family’s strategic focus on driving growth and innovation to ensure future decades of success for the Preferred brand.
TRAVLR boosts executive team with two senior recruits in preparation to transform travel tech
Aussie travel technology start-up, TRAVLR, is thrilled to announce the immediate appointment of two new senior recruits in Geoff Stringer as Chief Operating Officer and Stuart Rowe as Chief Technology Officer, to its executive leadership team.
Both senior appointments bring with them a wealth of experience in the travel and tech start-up sectors to Melbourne-based travel technology platform, TRAVLR, founded by Simon and Lani te Hennepe the creators of The Bali Bible.
The move comes as TRAVLR prepares for rapid expansion into global destinations and gears up to launch a first of its kind platform in the tech-travel sector.
Stringer, a veteran of the global travel industry having spent eighteen years with Lonely Planet and most recently as Operations Director at Sensis, will lead the operational, financial and expansion aspects of the TRAVLR business, providing leadership globally from TRAVLR’s head office based in Melbourne.
Chiva-Som International Health Resort Welcomes New General Manager, Vaipanya Kongkwanyuen
Thailand’s pioneering health and wellness resort, Chiva-Som welcomes Vaipanya Kongkwanyuen as new General Manager.
Vaipanya is returning home to Chiva-Som, having been the Director of Food & Beverage for the resort in 1994 in the early stages of the journey, during the pre-opening phase.
He was recently based in China (Beijing, Lijiang and Hangzhou) with the Aman Group as General Manager from 2012.
Vaipanya has extensive experience and a career background in food and beverage in Thailand and overseas which commenced in 1984.
He was heavily involved in the pre-opening team for the Aman Group in both Lijiang and Beijing, as well as with Four Seasons, Thailand. Apart from operations, he was previously responsible for sales and marketing strategic planning.
The Walshe Group to farewell longtime friend and colleague Mona Tannous
Long-standing Country Manager Australia/NZ for Sultanate of Oman Tourism, Mona Tannous, has made the decision to explore a new direction after 10 years with The Walshe Group.
“Oman has been, and always will be, a passion for me. It has been a privilege to share the incredible stories of this dynamic country and its amazing people to travellers,” Tannous said.
Tannous has been dedicated to the marketing and promotion of Oman for more than a decade.
She has made a huge contribution to growing awareness of the destination in the market, with Sultanate of Oman Ministry of Tourism winning Best International Tourism Office in Australia in the National Travel Agents Association Awards in 2012 a direct result of her energy and leadership.
Latest News
Voyages celebrates 40 years at Uluru with two new immersive experiences
No plans for celebrating your 40th this year? Here's a hot tip from us.
SkyDeck: The inflight entertainment you could never have imagined
Forget those external cameras you can live stream while in the air... With SkyDeck you can check it out for yourself.
Second Boeing whistleblower dies of ‘mystery infection’
Joshua Dean died from a fast-growing mystery infection on Tuesday.
Aussie winners of American Airlines ‘Sell Your Way to the USA’ announced
Show me the money! For the winners, Sell Your Way to the USA was worth getting involved in.
ANZCRO celebrates 30th with special edition of iconic New Zealand Book
Choice bro! ANZCRO celebrates its 30th with a special edition of its iconic New Zealand Book. Chur!
Room to move at Cairns Harbourside Hotel with ‘spacious’ new family package
Moody teens can eat two-minute noodles while younger brothers and sisters get to eat free with mum and dad. Win, win!
A&K unveils lavish around the world wildlife adventure in private jet
The kind of holiday that if you need to ask the cost, you probably can't afford it.
Flight Centre and Reforest hit one million trees target early
Nice one Flight Centre, we think you've earned an early Friday knockoff.
New cruise options spearhead stacked APT 2025 program
Just in case you thought you were running out of cruise itineraries, APT's here with a fresh batch.
Travel Weekly announces a new team to helm Australia’s No.1 travel trade title
Some shameless self-promotion from us, but we thought you needed to know who's bringing you the news.
IHG reveals plans for Brisbane’s first Kimpton in 2028
Just another reason to book that trip to Brisvegas. But don't jump the gun, it's not open until 2028.
Cruiseabout’s first store in five years opens in Perth
Perth gets a break from being behind the rest of the country with the addition of the first Cruiseabout store.
ATAS complaints process acknowledges non-economic loss
A High Court case win over 'disappointment and distress' on a cruise gone wrong prompts ATIA complaints change.
Cunard previews new Queen Anne
Yep, this one does exactly what it says on the tin.
Bunnik Tours unveils latest expansion to Iceland
Just as the Icelandic vikings did many years ago, Bunnik is expanding into new territories.
Australia’s first glamping retreat turns 25
25th anniversary gifts usually come in silver. Ours comes in the way of a news story.
Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun
If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]
Tourism Western Australia MD Carolyn Turnbull departs
Turnbull hints her new role will see her staying in the tourism and hospitality industry and who can blame her?
DriveAway launches Brit-Euro Blitz campaign
If agents can put the foot down quick enough and get involved, there are some great prizes to be won.
Fly and Stay Free with the Great Southern
Unlike those dodgy scam phone calls you're getting more and more of, there's no strings attached to this deal.
Sober travel and TikTok guide Australian Gen Z trips
Can you call it a sober holiday if you enjoy a few glasses of red on the flight? We think yes.
Travel DAZE Exec Agenda REVEALED: top execs to speak on airline competition
As the industry reels from Bonza's implosion, it is more important than ever to ask the big questions.
TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips
The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]
Skroo says Rex will need deep pockets to fill lost Bonza slots
The door is open for Rex, and anyone else who wants to launch a regional Aussie airline...
Sno’n’Ski Holidays unveils 2025 mega famil to Colorado!
Let the games begin - this is certainly not a famil that you will want to miss!
Walk Japan launches Kyoto: Mountains to the sea walking tour
There are two types of people, one who enjoys walking on holiday and another who enjoys sipping Mojitos by the pool.
Which destination had a 48% boost in bookings following 10 MILLION TikTok views?
Here's a clue: it's not Malabar Beach.
Asher Telford appointed General Manager of SeaLink Whitsundays
Telford has plenty of reasons to smile after SeaLink doubles down and makes him GM after buying his tourism operation.
Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak
Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]
Hilton Expands Presence in North Queensland with the signing of Hilton Garden Inn Townsville
Heading to a North Queensland Cowboys clash? Hilton Garden Inn Townsville is set to open, but not until 2026.
Rail Europe ANZ: making dream journeys come true
Rail Europe's running a lottery! You're not going to win millions, but you might just snag a free holiday.
UPDATE: Bonza hole deepens as administrators investigate financial affairs
Administrators dig deeper as struggling airline unlikely to be revived.
Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa
Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]
Nielsen Data reveals brands spending big to attract Aussie tourists
Trip A Deal, Virgin and Ignite Travel walk into a bar, blow their cash on travel advertising instead of the pokies.
Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards
Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]
Jetstar offers 200,000 return for free flights to celebrate 20th anniversary
Jetstar hits 20 and everyone else gets the presents with free return flights to domestic and international destinations.