Flavour of the Week
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This is one of the biggest weeks yet for promotions in the travel industry! It’s also one of the biggest weeks ever for ordering pizza after forgetting to defrost the chicken. Or is that just us?
New Victoria BDM at DriveAway
DriveAway is pleased to announce the most recent appointment of Fraser Tong as their new Business Development Manager for Victoria.
Tong comes to DriveAway with a wealth of experience in the both the tourism and hospitality industry, including with roles for Tourism Holding Limited and most recently Parker Travel Collection. Tong is, “thrilled to be starting the next chapter of his career with DriveAway” and looking forward to working closely with the company’s travel agent partners.
DriveAway asked Tong what his favourite holiday memory was and he said, “I remember actually driving the length and width of the South Island of New Zealand in a Britz Campervan with my University friends – one of the best times of my life”.
Aurora Expeditions expands Sydney team as they prepare to launch their newest ship, the Greg Mortimer
Aurora Expeditions, Australia’s leading expedition cruising company, continues to expand its Sydney-based team as it prepares to launch the new state-of-the-art vessel Greg Mortimer in October 2019.
Following a number of recent appointments, the company has today announced the appointment of Jackie Gordon to the role of Business Development Manager. In her new role, Gordon will be responsible for developing and actively managing relationships with all trade distribution partners throughout Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.
Gordon joins the team with over 15 years of experience in the travel and tourism industry. Most recently she spent four years with Insider Journeys as a wholesaler specialising in small group touring throughout Asia. Prior to that, Gordon held the Sales Manager role at Coral Expedition Cruises for almost eight years.
Gordon’s appointment follows that of Dianna Schinella to the role of Industry Sales and Marketing Manager, and Alex Fayan as Business Development Manager.
Entire Travel Group expands national sales team with key appointments in Victoria and Queensland
The rapidly-expanding Entire Travel Group is bolstering its national presence with the appointment of two of the travel industry’s most respected sales representatives to newly-created roles in Victoria and Queensland. The company – which this month officially merged with CIT Holidays and launched a new dedicated program for the Maldives – has named Kelly McDonald as its new Sales Manager Queensland and Northern New South Wales, while Craig Hunt is now Sales Manager Victoria and Tasmania.
Brisbane-based McDonald joins Entire Travel Group from Cox and Kings Australia, where she spent 11 years representing brands such as Tempo Holidays, Bentours International, Explore Worldwide and Hurtigruten. Prior to joining the wholesale sector she spent almost a decade as a front-line travel agent.
Hunt has more than 23 years’ experience working with some of the country’s leading wholesale travel companies. His Melbourne-based appointment represents a home coming as he previously spent five years representing CIT Holidays in Victoria and Tasmania.
Along with Entire Travel Group’s Sales Manager NSW Rita Mardirossian and Sales Manager NSW/ACT Sandrine Le Gaillard, McDonald and Hunt are now responsible for growing sales and brand awareness for Entire Travel Group’s nine specialist wholesale programs, which cover major destinations in Europe, North America and the Pacific and Indian oceans.
Ignite Travel Group appoints Michael Middleton to lead cruise division
The trailblazers of travel, Ignite Travel Group (ITG) has today announced the appointment of Michael Middleton into the newly created role of General Manager of Cruise, effectively immediately.
Bringing a wealth of knowledge to his new position, Middleton joins the innovative travel group after most recently spending eight years building up and running Western Australia’s largest Cruise company Bitcon Travel. An impressive career spanning nearly 28 years, Middleton’s industry experience has primarily focused in cruise specialist environments seeing him run his own travel agency in New Zealand and hold management roles at leading Cruise agencies throughout the United Kingdom.
Middleton said he is delighted to be joining the leading innovators of travel at such a pivotal time for the business.
“I am thrilled to be joining a great team who are not only passionate about the cruising industry but dedicated in their roles to secure innovative products lines with huge opportunity for travel partners and suppliers, delivering exclusive benefits to customers across Australia. Ignite are rapidly growing to become one of Australia’s top cruise agents and it’s a fantastic time to be coming onboard. They have ambitious plans for the future and I am looking forward to contributing as an integral member in the next stages of their journey.”
Alexis Hvalgaard appointed as Hotel Manager, Fraser Suites Perth
Frasers Hospitality has recently announced Alexis Hvalgaard as hotel manager to Frasers Suites Perth, the city’s leading five-star apartment hotel. Alexis most recently was Operations Manager at the property, where she was responsible for the daily operations and financial performance of front office, housekeeping and F&B.
Her 15+ year hotel experience has seen her hold a number of senior positions in operations, front office and general management at Mercure, Ibis and Quest properties across WA and NSW.
Alexis said: “I am delighted to take on the challenge of Hotel Manager at such a well-established and much-loved property like Fraser Suites Perth.”
“Our offering of five-star serviced residences in this market is very distinctive and an offering truly embraced by our many repeat guests. They enjoy a luxurious sense of space as well as the hotel’s facilities. I look forward to further growing the brand with the team.”
Wildlife Safari appoints VIC / TAS sales executive
Wildlife Safari the luxury tour operator to Africa, Indian Ocean and India announces the appointment of experienced industry professional Jillian Van to the sales team.
As sales executive, Van will be responsible for maintaining and developing industry relationships throughout Victoria & Tasmania.
AVPartners promotes Mat Brooke as Technical Director at Crown Perth
Leading audiovisual company AVPartners has once again demonstrated their commitment to promoting from within by appointing Mat Brooke as Technical Director at Crown Perth.
Previously a Senior Technician at the popular Perth venue, the promotion will see Brooke continue to use his technical knowledge and problem-solving skills to create event concepts which exceed client expectations.
Brooke commenced his career with AVPartners as a Trainee Technician in April 2012, and in six short years has progressed to a leadership position.
Regarding his promotion, Brooke said, “I had no idea six years ago that I would have been able to progress so much within one company. AVPartners is a supportive network of passionate audiovisual people, and I’m ecstatic to be able to continue to grow and advance with them.”
Ovolo Hotels appoints Raoul Gundelach as Brand Director
Award-winning, design-led hotel collection Ovolo Hotels has appointed Raoul Gundelach as Brand Director based in Hong Kong, charged with managing brand development in Australia, Hong Kong and beyond, in a significant growth and expansion phase for the business.
Ovolo Group is also expanding its Mojo Nomad concept with the launching Mojo Nomad Central Hong Kong in October and more projects in the pipeline. Mojo Nomad turns the traditional hotel model completely on its head by going beyond traditional hospitality concepts and blurring the boundaries offering a mix of designer rooms from private to accommodation options for families, groups and friends, and social facilities with a communal sense that appeal to both locals and travellers – think micro-hotel, shared accommodation and co-working all-in-one.
Gundelach has spent the past nine years in advertising, working on global brands including Hyundai, Harley-Davidson Motorcycles, Fujitsu General, and Sanofi, Raoul returns to the hospitality and hotel industry where his career started, having worked for number of hotels in Brisbane Australia.
“For me, the opportunity to join Ovolo Hotels, working on multiple brands across a period of major growth for the company is too good to be true,” Gundelach said. “I’ve already experienced first-hand the passion founder Girish Jhunjhnuwala has to disrupt and give guests a truly unique experience, and there’s no doubt he and the leadership team have a really strong vision of what we can achieve,” he said.
Trafalgar appoints new Head of Sales
Award winning guided holiday operator Trafalgar are bolstering its team with the appointment of new Head of Sales, Sally Sylvester.
Sylvester joins Trafalgar after 20 years with the Flight Centre Travel Group, most recently as General Manager for Travel Associates. Her previous roles with FCTG included eight years as state leader (NSW/ACT) as well as area leader for NSW for seven years.
Sylvester will commence her new role with Trafalgar next week.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
aurora expeditions AVPartners Driveaway Entire Travel Group frasers hospitality Ignite Travel Group Ovolo Hotels trafalgar Wildlife SafariLatest 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?