Flavour of the Week
We’ve got some seriously impressive industry up-and-comers today. Meanwhile, the most impressive thing we’ve done lately is cooking spaghetti without lighting it on fire.
SeaLink sets its course for an exciting future
SeaLink Travel Group (SeaLink) has announced a number of exciting new leadership appointments aimed at driving future growth as part of its new ‘One SeaLink‘ strategic plan.
Donna Gauci, Richard Doyle and Paul Victory (pictured) will be the key leaders driving the new structure, forming part of the team working under SeaLink’s newly appointed Chief Operating Officer, Anthony Hayes.
Gauci, previously General Manager, SeaLink South Australia, has been appointed General Manager Brand and Customer Experience. Gauci will drive SeaLink’s national brand and marketing strategy, including business plan development, advertising, publicity, direct consumer and online sales, new product design, research and service delivery.
Doyle, previously Head of International Sales & Marketing, Captain Cook Cruises & SeaLink, has been appointed General Manager Global Sales and Distribution and will take on a greater national and international sales focus, working closely with major trade distribution partners.
Victory, previously General Manager SeaLink Queensland and Northern Territory, has been appointed General Manager Business Growth and Innovation. Victory will work closely with SeaLink’s regional General Managers around the country to identify new business growth opportunities whilst also focusing on key government and indigenous partnerships.
Roland Svensson appointed Group General Manager, Alba Hospitality and General Manager, Alba Wellness Resort Hue in Vietnam
Roland Svensson has been named Group General Manager Alba Hospitality and General Manager of Alba Wellness Resort Hue in Vietnam.
Svensson has a wealth of hotel and resort experience, having worked in a number of international properties, commencing with senior Food & Beverage appointments in Dubai, Macau, Bangkok, Penang, Hong Kong and Queensland, where he was Director of Food & Beverage at Radisson Royal Palms Port Douglas for the opening in 1989 through to 1990.
He went on to be General Manager with Myanmar’s Novotel Mandalay and Thailand’s Royal Garden Resort Hua Hin and The Montien Hotel Bangkok, prior to moving to Saudi Arabia’s Le Jeddah Meridien as General Manager.
“I am thrilled to join Alba Hospitality and Alba Wellness Resort and excited to continue to work in a beautiful country like Vietnam – a place with tremendous potential in tourism,” Svensson said.
Giselle Radulovic appointed as new Country Manager Australia for Hawaii Tourism Oceania
The Walshe Group has welcomed Giselle Radulovic as the new Country Manager Australia for Hawai‘i Tourism Oceania (HTO).
Radulovic will be responsible for driving the strategic performance of Hawai‘i within the Australian market, and brings to HTO more than 20 years of experience across the tourism and business events sectors.
Her experience spans across a range of strategic marketing and product development positions in both Australia and the United States, and she has also managed a range of projects for major Australia tourism precincts such as The Rocks, Darling Harbour and the Sydney Opera House.
Most recently, Radulovic worked as the Director of Marketing and Communications at Canberra Convention Bureau promoting Canberra for international and national business events.
Captain Cook Cruises Fiji appoints Sales Representative in New Zealand
Captain Cook Cruises Fiji is delighted to announce the appointment of Laura Wadsworth from Sunseeker Travel Marketing and Representation as their New Zealand Sales Representative, following the retirement of Anne Radonich.
Wadsworth will continue to build existing relationships with key distribution partners in the New Zealand market and establish new ones. Wadsworth has a certificate in Travel and Tourism from Crown Institute and a Certificate in Advertising and Marketing from AUT and brings to the role over 20 years of experience in the travel industry.
First starting her career selling travel for the Flight Centre Group, Wadsworth then moved into the wholesale environment becoming Product Manager for a niche South Pacific Wholesale company – Travel Arrangements Ltd. Wadsworth was then employed with two major Cook Island properties as their Marketing Manager, before establishing Sunseeker Travel Marketing and Representation Ltd in 2002.
Wadsworth will be looking after Captain Cook Cruises Fiji’s three, four, seven and eleven-night accommodated cruises, day tours and dinner cruises.
Ricardo Mendes has been named General Manager Hyatt Centric Brickell Miami
In his role as General Manager, Mendes will oversee all day-to-day hotel operations in addition to the training of all staff and management of overall hotel budget and revenue. Prior to this appointment, Mendes served as General Manager of the first Hyatt Centric hotel in South Florida: Hyatt Centric South Beach Miami. With more than 18 years of hospitality experience, Mendes has also served as hotel manager of Mondrian South Beach and director of food and beverage for Canyon Ranch Resort & Spa on Miami Beach.
“We are focused on assembling an experienced, multilingual team of local hospitality professionals who will lead the Hyatt Centric brand’s expansion into Miami’s bustling urban core, an area thriving as a global business and lifestyle destination,” said Mendes.
“As we prepare to open, the hotel team will be ready to make guests feel welcome, share tips on how to explore Miami like a local and help curate a memorable experience whether they’re traveling for business or leisure.”
Alex Alvarez to lead all sales and marketing efforts as Director of Sales & Marketing for Hyatt Centric Brickell Miami
In his role as Director of Sales & Marketing, Alvarez will lead the hotel’s sales and marketing teams, while working closely with the General Manager to develop and execute sales strategies for groups and events to maximize hotel revenues.
He brings more than 17 years of hospitality experience to this position. Previously, Alvarez worked for nine years for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and several hospitality companies leading sales strategy, including Hilton Miami Downtown, Hyatt Regency Miami and White Lodging Services.
The 208-room Hyatt Centric Brickell Miami lifestyle hotel will be the latest addition to Hyatt Centric brand’s portfolio of 20 hotels worldwide, in destinations like Japan, Spain, Hawaii, New York and California.
Introducing G’s new Director of Marketing
G Adventures has a wonderful new Director of Marketing, Louise Laing! Laing has just come back from an invigorating two weeks of induction in our ‘Base Camp’ office in Toronto.
She will start work next week.
SeaLink South Australia appoints Business Development Executive
SeaLink South Australia has appointed Sally Zollner as Business Development Executive for its Adelaide Sightseeing and Youth and Adventure brands.
Zollner will work closely with clients to promote Adelaide Sightseeing and Kangaroo Island Adventure Tours to South Australian hotels, hostels, information centres the youth market and key agents. Employed with the SeaLink Travel Group as a Sales Consultant for over eight years, Zollner has worked in various areas of the reservations department and will bring to her new role an enormous amount of experience across SeaLink’s full product range.
Zollner has been enjoying her new role and promoting her much-loved South Australia.
“I have a passion for South Australian and all the amazing places and activities it has to offer, and one of my favourite things about my new role is I’m able to promote what I enjoy and love,” she said.
Lord Howe Island appoints Sarah Shields for PR
The Lord Howe Island Tourism Association (LHITA) has appointed travel and tourism specialist Sarah Shields to manage its public relations and media communications.
The LHITA is a member organisation representing some 35 tourism businesses including accommodation, restaurants and tour operators on World Heritage-listed Lord Howe Island.
Independent PR Shields was successful in her pitch for the role following a competitive tender held late last year.
Shields’ complementary travel and tourism clients include the Baillie Lodges group, Luxury Lodges of Australia, Peter Sommer Travels and Indigenous tourism specialists Cooee Travel and Lirrwi Tourism. Shields also coordinates media famils for the South Australian Tourism Commission and recently joined Tourism Australia’s Influencer and Media Hosting Program for 2018/19.
Latest News
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 – and they’re not pretty
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 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 were holding eachother's 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!
Globally-renowned chefs gather for Vivid Food 2024
As a human, we agree that food is a fundamental part of the human experience. Some might say the most fundamental.
Air New Zealand returns to Hobart and Seoul
If you notice an uptick in Kiwis making their way through the Mona, you know why.