Flavour of the Week
Say hello (or goodbye) to the movers and shakers of the past week. The travel industry couldn’t be a better place to work, we say.
Wendy Wu Tours Appoints Sarah Arane as BDM NSW & ACT
Asia tour operator Wendy Wu Tours is delighted to announce the appointment of Sarah Arane as Business Development Manager for NSW & ACT.
Sarah joins the team with 3 years’ experience in Business Development, her most recent role at Cover-More Travel Insurance. In 2015, Sarah was a finalist for the NTIA Awards in the BDM Rookie of the Year Category.
On the appointment, Wendy Wu Tours Australia Head of Sales, Vara Glover said, “I am very excited to welcome Sarah to join the team at Wendy Wu Tours.
“As industry leaders in Asia, a strong relationship with the trade remains very important to us, and I look forward to working with Sarah to support our partners in growing their business”.
Arane said of her new role, “I love the endless potential and growth that the travel industry offers. I’m excited to be joining the Wendy Wu Tours Business Development team, and can’t wait to see where this adventure goes!”
Capella Hotel Group appoints Fernando Gibaja as General Manager of Capella Singapore
Capella Hotel Group has appointed Fernando Gibaja as General Manager of Capella Singapore with effect from 12 June 2017.
Equipped with vast industry knowledge and insight, Gibaja brings to Capella Singapore over 20 years of extensive international experience in hotel operations, development and management.
Most recently, Gibaja was the General Manager of Jumeirah Zabeel Saray Hotel & Spa, a luxury hotel located on Dubai’s iconic Palm Jumeirah. Prior to his tenure with the Jumeirah Group for the last seven years, Gibaja has held a number of senior leadership positions across the globe with Mandarin Oriental and Ritz-Carlton.
“I am delighted to welcome Fernando to the Capella family. It is my privilege to work with a team of like-minded hoteliers such as Fernando, who share the same core values and philosophy as stated in our Capella Canon,” said Nicholas M. Clayton, Chief Executive Officer of Capella Hotel Group.
“With years of experience in the luxury segment to his credit, Fernando will play an instrumental role in leading Capella Singapore to even greater heights.”
Royal Caribbean Signs on First Chief Meteorologist
Casting a watchful eye on the world’s weather around the clock is a tall order, and James Van Fleet is the meteorologist for the job – the first of its kind in the cruise industry.
Royal Caribbean’s Chief Meteorologist develops forecasts for the cruise line’s fleet of 24 ships. Translating technical data into digestable information is second nature for Van Fleet, who’s a veteran TV meteorologist with more than two decades of experience.
With his guidance, captains have the added support to continue making informed decisions and delivering the best possible vacation experience for the cruise line’s guests.
AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort Appoints New Director of Sales & Marketing
AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort boasting 315 beautiful over-water villas is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Vivian Choa as Director of Sales & Marketing, effective immediately.
Choa brings with her a wealth of international knowledge, with over 18 years experience in the sales and marketing industry. Prior to her appointment with AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort, Choa held various successful tenures with leading hotel groups, including Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Hilton Hotels Worldwide.
This extensive experience has also seen her manage cluster teams, hotel openings and achieving an exceptional milestone by increasing corporate transient performance by 17 per cent in 2016.
With strong proven sales abilities, management skills and energetic mindset, Choa will now be the driving force behind AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort’s sales and marketing initiatives, ensuring continuous business growth specifically within the MICE segment.
Based in Kuala Lumpur, Choa will oversee and direct the company’s sales initiatives, which is expected to increase up to 10 per cent YoY as part of its continued growth strategy.
Wagner takes charge of Louis T Collection’s Thailand hotels
Seasoned hotelier Niklas Wagner is set to guide Louis T Collection through its next phase of development in his role as director of operations for the group’s latest hotel debut and a newly renovated property.
Wagner joins the hospitality and building solution’s team at a pivotal time with the opening of Hotel Bocage in Hua Hin, and the re-opening of the collection’s flagship hotel, Mantra Samui Resort, on the idyllic island of Koh Samui.
In addition to his overarching role as director of operations of both properties, Wagner will also assist the group on food and beverage concepts and operations, a role in which he’s keen to manifest a guiding philosophy of Louis T.
“A Louis T hotel is a unique, independent hotel that’s driven by human interaction,” said Wagner.
“After all, truly happy guests remember the individuals and experiences that made their stay special and that’s what our team delivers.
“I want to lead teams that can pivot quickly to adjust to changing guest behaviours without being restricted by corporate structures and over complicated procedures. We should be evolving constantly and avoid being stuck in the status quo.”
Before embarking on his journey with Louis T Collection, the German-native held senior management roles with Four Seasons and Hyatt in America, Qatar, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Korea and in his hometown Hamburg.
“Niklas is a very dynamic individual with a fine appreciation for food and beverage and flair with people,” said Grant Healy, CEO of Louis T Collection.
“He is also very business savvy and will play an important role for Louis T Collection. What stands out with Niklas’s professional background is that he has pursued a career with some of the best chain hotel groups as well as ventured into his own entrepreneurial efforts in the freestanding restaurant space”.
Another Wendy Wu appointment – Jan Ta’ale as Operations Manager!
Wendy Wu Tours is delighted to announce the appointment of Jan Ta’ale to the role of Operations Manager.
Ta’ale joins the Wendy Wu Tours team with an extensive background within the travel industry with a specialisation in operations, reservations and “hands-on” experience in managing system changes.
Over the past 12 years, Ta’ale has held management positions with companies such as Newmans, Garuda Orient Holidays, Jet Abroad, Explore Holidays, Carlson Marketing Worldwide and Skimax.
On the appointment, Ta’ale said, “I’m so proud to be joining the Wendy Wu Tours team, who have such an excellent reputation in the industry. I look forward to utilising my experience to project the Operations Team into an exciting new era”.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort Capella Hotel Group Flavour of the Week Louis T Collection Royal Caribbean Cruises wendy wu toursLatest News
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