Flavour of the Week
Take a look at the industry’s newest movers and shakers. Though that’s not to say they’re dance champions.
Travellers Choice welcomes new BDM in Sydney and Canberra
Travellers Choice members gathered in Sydney and Canberra last week to give a warm welcome to Paula Moylan, the network’s new Business Development Manager for NSW and the ACT.
In Sydney Travellers Choice General Manager Sales Nicola Strudwick officially welcomed Moylan with drinks overlooking Darling Harbour, and in Canberra Managing Director Christian Hunter introduced the group’s new BDM with some Barefoot Bowls at The RUC Turner Bowls Club.
SmartFlyer Australia Appoints New Operations Manager
The Goldman Travel Group is delighted to announce the appointment of Naomi Peel as Operations Manager for Australia’s leading travel network, SmartFlyer Australia.
Peel joins the travel collective with more than 17 years of experience in the travel industry including working directly with officials in consulates, embassies and high commissions. Most recently, she coordinated fully escorted tours (Asia and South Pacific) with the Globus Family of Brands and worked for TravelManagers Australia as an operation executive.
Peel will be based in Goldman’s Bondi Junction office and will oversee all aspects of business operations. This includes troubleshooting for the “Smarties”; Goldman’s team of remote travel advisors, liaising with key suppliers and managing SmartFlyer Australia events – including a series of pop up offices launching in Sydney and Melbourne throughout the year.
Castaway Island, Fiji lifts conservation awareness with appointment of environment officer
As the United Nations designates 2018 as the third International Year of the Reef, Castaway Island, Fiji has appointed an environment officer as part of its ongoing commitment to preserve and protect its pristine marine environment.
A graduate of Fiji National University with a bachelor’s degree in environmental management, Kolinio Mataiyaga Vulaono will be responsible for the environmentally sustainable use of both the marine and land-based resources of the resort.
Vulaono will work in partnership with other tourism operators, communities, government and non-government organizations while also promoting OZONE, Outrigger Resorts’ global conservation initiative, centred on protecting the health of the world’s coral reefs and oceans.
He sees his role as focusing on education and training to prevent degradation of the environment, working closely with the resort’s PADI dive, water-sports and activities department to deliver the Outrigger-Zone (OZONE) environment initiative and collaborating with the Mamanuca Environment Society.
Event Hospitality & Entertainment appoints QT Hotels & Resorts Communications Manager
Event Hospitality & Entertainment, parent company to QT Hotels & Resorts, this week announced Jessica Fornito as the new Communications Manager across QT Hotels & Resorts, nationally.
Fornito joined QT Hotels & Resorts in 2014 and throughout her four years at QT she has held positions as PR Executive and PR Manager covering QT Hotels in Sydney, Canberra & Melbourne.
In 2016 Fornito transferred to the Melbourne office to spearhead the successful opening of QT Melbourne. Fornito oversaw partnerships including a successful collaboration with Vogue Australia and GQ to host a Melbourne spring racing breakfast, positioning the QT Melbourne Rooftop as the must-visit destination across the popular carnival.
Fornito was also fundamental in partnering QT Melbourne with the 2017 delicious. Produce Awards as well as collaborating with The World’s 50 Best Restaurants to become the ‘Official Hotel’ of its 2017 program and subsequently hosting the All Star Yum Cha brunch.
Scenic Announces its World-Class Operations Team for Scenic Eclipse
Scenic has announced the appointment of four key operational roles in preparation for the maiden voyage of Scenic Eclipse on 31 August 2018.
Hans Heger – General Manager Operations, Scenic Discovery Yachts – assumes responsibility for all operations relating to the Scenic Eclipse fleet
Guillermo Muro – Culinary Director – will oversee the menu development across the 10 on board dining experiences, as well as manage operations for the ship’s extensive culinary department in conjunction with V Ships
Frederik Ekelund – Hotel Director – will be responsible for managing Scenic Eclipse’s on board operations
Sonja Altmann – Operations Manager – will oversee all shore-based guest operations, including shore excursions and supplier relationships
With the build of the first Scenic Eclipse nearing completion, the appointments within this senior team will ensure Scenic deliver a truly world-class, six-star luxury cruise experience for guests.
Amadeus creates NDC-X program to drive industry innovation
The travel industry is moving towards increased personalisation, as merchandising techniques drive new revenues and business opportunities, and as travelers expect brands to know them and adapt offers accordingly.
It is against this backdrop that Amadeus today announces the creation of a dedicated program to drive the industrialisation of NDC and ensure its success for all travel players.
Gianni Pisanello, who has held a variety of leadership roles within Amadeus’ airlines business, both on the IT and the distribution side, will lead the new NDC-X program.
“We are at a critical moment in terms of the development of the standard, and the readiness of the industry,” says Gianni Pisanello, VP, NDC-X program. “For NDC to truly take off, we need to create a real standard not only for the protocol itself, but also for how it’s implemented. We also need to ensure that it responds to travel seller requirements, and that it has the right economics to drive investment. At Amadeus, we recognise that we have a responsibility to make NDC work for all travel players, and that’s what we will be doing through our NDC-X program.”
GHM Appoints Moukarzel to Lead Al Bait Opening
General Hotel Management Ltd. (GHM) has named Patrick Moukarzel general manager of the Al Bait Sharjah, a 53-key hotel scheduled to open later this year in a historic district of the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) third largest city.
A French national fluent in three languages, including Arabic, Moukarzel’s appointment is a homecoming of sorts. Between 2006 and 2012, he rose through the ranks from a food and beverage manager at The Chedi Muscat to general manager positions at the luxury hotel group’s properties in Thailand and China.
Since his last role with GHM as a general manager in Suzhou, Moukarzel has managed luxury hotels in Penang, Malaysia and in Maldives where he shepherded the Soneva Jani from the final stages of construction to full operation.
Tourism Authority hires Jennifer Davies as Director of Cultural Tourism, Balboa Park
The San Diego Tourism Authority (SDTA) announced today that Jennifer Davies has been named Director of Cultural Tourism, Balboa Park. A recognized local leader in public affairs and communications, Davies is the first person to occupy the newly created position.
In her new role, Davies will oversee the SDTA’s Balboa Park-focused cultural tourism initiatives, working to promote Balboa Park as a nationally recognized cultural icon and generate travel to the San Diego region.
Davies has a robust record of leading communications, marketing strategy and program development for prominent San Diego organizations. Prior to joining the SDTA, Davies served as the Assistant Dean of External Affairs for UC San Diego Extension and Vice President of External Affairs for the Downtown San Diego Partnership. She also served as Director of Communications for former City Council President Sherri Lightner and worked as the Marketing and Communications Manager for the Centre City Development Corporation.
Davies also has a background in journalism, having served as a staff writer for the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
amadeus Balboa Park Castaway Island Fiji GHM QT Hotels & Resorts scenic smartflyer travellers choiceLatest News
Australia fails to make top 10 destination list for American travellers
Australia's top cities have failed to make the grade with American travellers this northern summer, with no local city in the top.
APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures
APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]
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
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 of 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 had swapped 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!