Home » News » Flavour of the Week: Destination Canada CEO exits, Hilton’s Australasian-first hire + MORE

15 November, 2019

Flavour of the Week: Destination Canada CEO exits, Hilton’s Australasian-first hire + MORE

The revolving doors at various travel companies have been given a workout lately. Find out who all the latest movers and shakers are here.

Destination Canada CEO exits

After five years as president and CEO of Destination Canada, David Goldstein (pictured above) has called it quits.

Goldstein has been replaced in the interim by Anwar Chaudhry, who is currently the senior vice president of finance and risk management and chief financial officer at Destination Canada.

Hilton appoints first senior commercial director for Australasia

Hilton has announced the appointment of Shaizeen Contractor as its senior commercial director for Australasia.

In this newly created role, Contractor will be responsible for leading commercial performance, driving and delivering commercial targets and growing market share in Australasia.

Prior to joining Hilton, Contractor was employed by TFE Hotels in various roles including group director of sales and distribution and, most recently, chief revenue officer.

Hong Kong Tourism Board appoints new executive director

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has appointed Dane Cheng as its new executive director.

Based at HKTB’s head office in Hong Kong, Cheng will spearhead the development of the board’s strategic direction, and will oversee the development and promotion of the Hong Kong tourism brand.

Cheng joins HKTB with more than 30 years of industry experience. Most recently, he was an executive director of Hang Lung Properties. Cheng has also held a number of senior positions at Cathay Pacific Airways’ head office and in various regions.

Kerstin Kraakman to lead TourRadar’s new marketing solutions division

TourRadar has announced its new marketing solutions division, an in-house digital agency that works with travel brands and tourism bodies to deliver impactful marketing solutions on their platform.

To lead TourRadar Marketing Solutions, the company has hired global marketing expert Kerstin Kraakman as vice president of marketing solutions and B2B marketing.

Kraakman brings over 13 years of experience in the travel, e-commerce and technology sectors to the role, having held senior positions at Google, eBay, PayPal and TravelClick.

Sabre’s APAC boss adds EMEA region to remit

Sabre Corporation has appointed Frank Trampert as managing director and chief commercial officer of Sabre Hospitality Solutions across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Asia Pacific.

Trampert will be responsible for the financial performance, customer engagement and overall growth of Sabre Hospitality Solutions across these regions.

Having joined Sabre in January 2017 to lead the company’s APAC business, Trampert first oversaw the growth of Sabre Hospitality Solutions within APAC until he took on an interim role earlier this year to include EMEA within the territories he was accountable for.

Prior to joining Sabre, Trampert held numerous high-profile roles within the industry, including leadership positions with Wyndham Hotel Group in Hong Kong, Carlson Hotels across four continents, Brand Karma in Singapore, and most recently as the CEO for Tune Hotel Group in Malaysia.

Tourism WA welcomes new board member

Businessman Bruce Davis has been appointed to Tourism Western Australia’s board for a one-year term.

The founder and managing director of InGlobo Private Equity has previously held senior management roles across a range of companies including Leisure and Allied Industries, Coca-Cola AMATIL and McDonalds Australia.

Drukair appoints The Walshe Group as Australian GSA

Reservations and ticketing for Drukair – the Royal Airline of Bhutan – will be available now in Australia, following the appointment of The Walshe Group as its local GSA.

Drukair currently serves 10 international destinations from Paro in Bhutan, including Bangkok, Singapore and various cities in India. Drukair recently welcomed to its fleet the ATR 42-600 aircraft, which will complement the existing fleet of A319s.

Outrigger Hospitality Group partners with SMB Communications

Sydney-based SMB Communications has been retained to lead Outrigger Hospitality Group’s public relations efforts in Australia and New Zealand.

The partnership will focus on the promotion of Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort and Castaway Island, Fiji as well as the overarching Outrigger Hospitality Group brand, encompassing 37 properties in premier beach resort destinations.

The role was previously filled by Donna Parkin, owner and director of Parkin PR, who has resigned her role as PR consultant after nearly a decade of providing support for the Outrigger brand.

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Bruce Davis Dane Cheng David Goldstein destination canada Drukair Frank Trampert hilton hktb hong kong tourism board Kerstin Kraakman Outrigger Hospitality Group sabre Shaizeen Contractor SMB Communications the walshe group tourism wa tourism western australia TourRadar