Flavour of the Week
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These industry guns are knocking our socks off. Did it help that we left them at the gym this morning? Maybe.
First Hyatt Regency in Bangkok fills two more leadership positions
The general manager of Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit continues to round out his staff ahead of the hotel’s scheduled opening in September.
In recent weeks, Sammy Carolus has appointed Maria Sitanggang Director of Sales & Marketing and Wuthivet Vetchabutsakorn Director of Finance. Both Sitanggang and Vetchabutsakorn have more than 20 years of experience in their respective areas of expertise.
Sitanggang joins Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit after spending seven years at Hyatt Regency Hua Hin & The Barai as its director of sales and marketing. She has also worked for Hyatt properties in Bali.
Vetchabutsakorn’s lengthy resume includes stints with globally recognized leaders in nutrition (Mead Johnson) and pharmaceuticals (P&G) as well as hospitality. Most recently he served Area Director of Finance – Asia for Movenpick Hotels & Resorts.
Amadeus promotes Cyril Tetaz to lead Airlines business in Asia Pacific
Amadeus today announces that Cyril Tetaz has been appointed Executive Vice President, Airlines, Amadeus Asia Pacific, with the responsibility of leading Amadeus’ Airlines business in Asia Pacific (APAC), effective April 2018.
Asia Pacific has been the fastest-growing region for Amadeus’ Airline business unit for the past five years. Today, most of the region’s major airlines use either one of Amadeus’ Passenger Service Systems (Altéa or New Skies), and in 2017 alone, 503 million passengers were boarded in APAC on airlines using either one of those systems.
Reporting to Julia Sattel, Senior Vice President, Airlines, Tetaz will lead the charge in continuing Amadeus Airlines’ growth momentum in the region, supporting and enabling APAC airlines in their ambitions to pursue growth, greater customer-centricity and digital transformation.
Former Concur executive Murray Warner joins Serko as John Challis steps up to global role
Serko Ltd., a leader in online travel booking and expense management for business, today announced that it has appointed former Concur executive Murray Warner to lead its Australasian business, and promoted John Challis to Head of Business Development to focus on global expansion.
This investment in leadership is designed to ensure Serko continues to grow its lead in the Australia and New Zealand markets while further establishing a presence in North America and Europe during 2018.
Warner (pictured) spent more than 15 years with Concur, most recently as Director Business Development Asia Pacific where he led Concur’s partnership distribution strategy across the region. John Challis was instrumental in building Serko’s customer base in Australia and New Zealand over the past decade, and his new role as Head of Business Development will see him take ownership for new market penetration and new partner development.
Scenic announces Discovery Team Leader for Scenic Eclipse
Scenic has announced the appointment of Kara Weller as Head Discovery Team Leader for Scenic Eclipse.
A qualified biologist, Weller holds a Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Wildlife Biology and has spent the past 20 years, educating cruise passengers on the many highlights of Antarctica and the Arctic. Weller has extensive experience working as an expedition leader, naturalist lecturer and Zodiac driver on more than 150 cruises. She joins the Scenic Eclipse team from Silversea Expeditions.
On board Scenic Eclipse, Weller will be responsible for managing the 16 member Discovery Team, facilitating Zodiac and kayak excursions, guiding onshore explorations and hosting on board lectures on the Antarctic and Arctic regions. She will be assisted by a group of highly experienced naturalists, including a marine biologist, glaciologist, historian, orthnologist and geologist, as well as a fisheries and underwater expert, dedicated kayaking guides and Zodiac drivers.
Virgin Australia Group appoints Merren McArthur as CEO of Tigerair Australia
The Virgin Australia Group today announced the appointment of Merren McArthur as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Tigerair Australia, the Group’s wholly owned subsidiary and low cost carrier.
Since joining the Group in 2008, McArthur has held a number of key executive positions within the business, most recently holding the dual role of Group Executive of Virgin Australia Regional Airlines (VARA) and Virgin Australia Cargo.
She will commence in the role of CEO of Tigerair Australia on 7 May 2018. Mark Davey, currently VARA Head of Flight Operations, has been appointed to the role of VARA Executive General Manager. Mark has 30 years’ experience in the airline industry, having held executive level positions across the areas of network, operations and commercial strategy. Group Executive of Virgin Australia Airlines, Rob Sharp, will assume responsibility for Virgin Australia Cargo.
Ovolo Hotels bolsters its team with two key appointments
Award-winning, boutique design-led hotel collection, Ovolo, has created two new roles within its Australian operation including General Manager Brand Experience and Director of Operations Australia.
These two new roles will assist in its rapid expansion of the collection with the recent acquisitions of Inchcolm Brisbane, Hotel Hotel Canberra, and Emporium Brisbane, and to ensure the philosophies of effortless living, happy guests = loyal guests, F.U.N. (Fabulous. Unconventional. Never Boring) and effervescent experience are upheld – Ovolo designs hotels from a traveller’s perspective with smartly spaced interiors full of the latest tech, luxury hotel amenities and fresh fun-loving features.
Amanda Cottome takes on the role of GM Brand Experience alongside her current responsibilities as General Manager of Ovolo 1888. In this role Amanda will take on the strategic brand experience lead for Ovolo Hotels Australia ensuring the delivery on the brand philosophies through both the guest and team experiences.
Kieran Erasmuson (pictured) has been appointed Director of Operations, Australia. Kieran joins Ovolo following more than seven years’ experience at Event Hospitality & Entertainment having worked on a number of developments for their hotel businesses, predominantly working on QT Hotels and Resorts across operations and food & beverage in Australia.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
amadeus Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit Ovolo Hotels scenic serko Virgin Australia GroupLatest News
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Low-cost Indian carrier SpiceJet continues to burn cash
It’s not just low-cost Australian carriers that are facing hardship. SpiceJet, India’s version of Bonza, recently announced a 72 per cent reduction in its net loss versus last year. But, despite this improvement, the airline has posted losses for six straight years. But it has secured board approval to raise up to INR 30 billion […]
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SAKA Museum recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2024
AYANA Resort Bali’s newly-opened cultural and events centre, SAKA Museum has been recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places list for 2024. Part of AYANA Bali’s resort destination, the museum integrates Bali’s rich history with state-of-the-art facilities, making it the centrepiece for the island’s spiritual and cultural heritage. TIME magazine’s inclusion of SAKA Museum in […]
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Journey Beyond launches first brand-led campaign during Paris Olympics
Journey Beyond is pushing the boundaries. On The Ghan, you can't even see them!
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Ascott Australia partners with Hotels for Trees
Hoteliers can take a 'Lyf' out of this book and improve their green credentials.
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Victoria’s TAC Top Tourism Town Award winners for 2024
Keep looking in our own backyard. There are plenty of places to go.
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Uniworld partners with Camilla Franks with Egyptian-inspired collection
We are in de-Nile about making puns combining Crocs and leopard prints, given this luxe partnership.
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Aussies at Paris Olympics anxious about travel risks, with incidents already recorded
Fortunately one of our biggest gold medal hopes still held onto his pedals.
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Banyan Tree Seaview Villas elevates Laguna Lang Co
If you've ever played golf in the tropics, start early. LIke way early. It's hot! Damn hot.
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Silversea taps Barbara Biffi as senior vice president for global sales
Ultra-luxury and expedition cruise travel brand, Silverseas, has announced Barbara Biffi as its new senior vice president of global sales. Biffi joined the company in 2007, holding numerous positions and gaining a deep understanding of the brand, the preferences of its guests and its strategic goals, the company said. An Italian national with a wealth […]
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Wendy Wu unveils new Japan travel brochure and itineraries
Get outta town! Off-beat Japan will be a lot less congested we figure than the usual tourist hotspots.
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UK and Europe event organisers look to venues with sustainability integrity, ICC Sydney survey finds
Here in Sydney, you can even eat the table centrepieces. Although we advise they be cooked first.
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Renos Rologas new general manager ANZ for FCM Travel
Two decades in the travel game! Let's hope Renos is in for the long haul at FCM.
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Untamed Escapes to offer Cultural Day Tour from Port Lincoln in partnership with Maba Idi
International visitors travel thousands of kilometres for this experience. Time to share.
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Luxe Finish Line Penthouses offer the best vantage point for the finish of the Sydney-Hobart
Long have we been following the yachts leavings Sydney Harbour and one day, we will see the finish, from this place!
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In a busy world, proximity to nature is the new luxury
Forget Raffles, treat your nearest and dearest to a stay at the local campsite. They'll be super close to nature.
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Circular Quay welcomes new Korean dining experience to Sydney Place
We once took Korean-American chef David Chang around Koreatown, Eastwood. Not happy about driving rain, loved the food.
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MSC Cruises unveils a new outdoor kid-friendly attraction on World America
Drop your kid down the jaws of a shark and they come out 11 decks below. Sounds good to me.
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Amadeus welcomes FCM Travel as new reseller partner of Cytric Easy
Cytric Easy, the travel management tool embedded in Microsoft Teams, is to be integrated into FCM Travel portfolio. Amadeus and FCM Travel have extended their Cytric distribution agreement to include Cytric Easy. With this new agreement, global travel management company FCM Travel, becomes a reseller of the innovative travel management collaboration solution embedded into Microsoft […]
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Australian travellers abandon peer-to-peer stays and gravitate back to big hotels, survey finds
Doom scrolling Airbnb for the best-possible stay options two days out from departure was wearing us down, apparently.
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Quark Expeditions launches the Ultimate Summer in the Arctic sweepstakes for travel advisors
Summer in the Arctic still means it's freezing. But hopefully a winning sweepstakes tickets will warm your cockles.
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‘I bet it smells weird’ – Internet divided over floating restaurant in China
I you are still feeling peckish at the end of your meal, their fish tank is full. But can you eat koi?
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‘Turn up in the Northern Territory this Spring’ campaign deals
Agents and airlines get all hot and sweaty over these enticing deals. Or did someone just turn the air-conditioning up?
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‘Like nothing on earth’: Saudi Arabia’s new Treyam resort set in a Star Wars-style landscape
As long as Jar Jar Binks is not there, we would like a seat at the Mos Eisley Cantina please.
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Raffles Hotels and Resorts is set to open in Tokyo in 2028
Time to get your vision boards at the ready! Raffles is landing in Tokyo!
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‘A true honour’ – Andrew Stark wins Flight Centre Director’s Award for the second time
Congratulations Andrew! If you're a fan of British reality TV you might notice a familiar face.
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Club Med debuts travel agent portal 2.0 with bonus prize for tops sales
See those people by the pool. That could be you. Start selling through the portal people!
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Envoyage announces 2024 Australian Icons and rewards event in the Maldives
We were going to edit our name into the list but we chickened out.
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HIF Global signs collaboration agreement with Airbus on eFuels
We know it's a good thing but can a jet fuel geek out there send in a diagram explaining this please.
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Crystal announces release dates for 2026 itineraries
If you have started collecting 2026 itineraries then here is another one for you.
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Cairns Airport unveils display of support for FNQ youth
If you were craving some winter sun now you have a cultural reason for booking a flight to Cairns.
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Viking announces six new cruise itineraries
Now's the time to start learning Putonghua, Nihongo and Lhasa. Or maybe even know where these are spoken.
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Join Qatar Airways, Celebrity Cruises & Klook – Showcase Your Brand at Click Frenzy Travel August 2024!
Clicking calmly will also be welcome when it comes to this particular deal. Click calmly here to find out more.
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InsideAsia Tours launches new incentive that doubles agent commission
Double commission! We like the sound of that. Hope their system doesn't crash as a result.
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Push to revive Parramatta’s iconic Roxy Theatre into entertainment destination
Long have we wished for this iconic heritage cinema to be revived as a tourist destination. Still waiting.
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Qatar Airways signs an expansion to Boeing 777-9 aircraft order
Known as a quiet rural town in England, the entire global aviation industry now has its eyes on Farnborough.
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Flight Centre shares down following revised profit guidance
The stock market moves fast. What will the rest of the week hold for Flight Centre?