Check out this weeks latest industry movers and shakers! Although that’s not to say they’re in a dance competition or anything.

New chair and directors appointed to Tourism Noosa Board

Tourism Noosa has announced new additions to the Tourism Noosa Board following its Annual General Meeting held yesterday at Noosa Springs Golf & Spa Resort.

Drew Pearson was appointed chair and Richard Stephens from Accom Noosa as deputy chair.

Other key positions were also appointed including Erina Kilmore from Australia Zoo as treasurer, Darren McClenaghan from RACV Noosa Resort as marketing & events committee chair and Michelle Mason from Social Tap as industry development & sustainability chair.

The Board also welcomed new additions to the Board, Terri Waller from SevGen, Louise Formosa from Eko Consulting and Dan Neylan from Dowling Neylan Real Estate. They join existing Directors Elizabeth Reynolds, Mark Wilkinson and Nick Heath.

Travel Counsellors increase the focus on L&D

Travel Counsellors are set to receive even more support in their learning and development as the Melbourne team welcomes Ben Quinn to the business development team this month.

In recognition of the importance of training and development for Travel Counsellors, Quinn joins as training and business development executive. The company’s focus on providing great personalised service, as well as the support offered to Travel Counsellors attracted Quinn to the role saying, “I am amazed at how focused everyone is at helping the TC’s, such a supportive company!”

Having trained a wide range of different people in his previous role, Quinn has developed people with many learning styles. He looks forward to using his experience to deliver relevant, well-structured on-training to help Travel Counsellor’s reach their full potential.

Following his extensive induction, Quinn heads straight out on the road to meet with Travel Counsellors in NSW and Queensland as they take part in systems training next week.

SeaLink Travel Group appoint Chief Marketing Officer

Leading tourism and transport operator, SeaLink Travel Group, is pleased to announce the appointment of Donna Gauci in the newly created position of chief marketing officer (CMO).

Gauci has 34 years’ experience working in the travel, tourism and transport industry. For the past 13 years Gauci has been employed with SeaLink Travel Group, first as general manager for SeaLink New Zealand and since 2011, as general manager for SeaLink South Australia.

According to Jeff Ellison, chief executive and managing director for SeaLink Travel Group, creating this national role is paramount to the future growth of SeaLink and appointing Gauci to the position was an easy decision based on her past successes within the company.

Gauci said, “I am extremely excited to take on this new role. We have amazing businesses in nine locations around Australia and I’m enjoying working with all businesses as one team, to build our brand and grow our sales.”

Chloe Spillane joins TMS Talent

TMS Talent are proud to announce another new recruit to their growing team. Chloe Spillane will join the group as a recruitment consultant for the travel industry in the Sydney office.

Prior to joining TMS Talent Spillane was with the Flight Centre Travel Group for 3.5 years and The Travel Corporation for a further year. She has a clear understanding of various sectors within the travel industry and the career prospects on offer.

“I’m very excited to be joining the team at TMS Talent and can’t wait to find careers for people that inspire and provide exceptional life experiences,” she said.

Amatara Wellness Resort, Phuket appoints Wipa Nareerak as general manager

Amatara Wellness Resort, one of Southeast Asia’s premier leisure / wellness resorts & destination spas, warmly welcomes Wipa Nareerak, as its first Thai general manager.

Nareerak’s appointment as general manager see’s the resort take another big step in further establishing itself in Wellness Tourism, based on her very strong wellness and yoga background-in additional to her hospitality experience.

Originally born in Bangkok with Master Degree in Arts –Leadership in Society, Business and Politics, Nareerak has been working in the hotel & resort industry for 20+ years. Her hospitality background encompasses sales & marketing roles, before shifting to operations where she has excelled as assistant general manager and hotel manager.

Whilst honing her tourism management skills Nareerak has also been continuously cultivating her yoga, pilates, detox and holistic wellbeing comprehension in a number of well-known resorts in Koh Samui. With her deep passion for yoga, she is a certified RYT500 hours instructor – including vinyasa, hatha, pranayama. She has then decided to relocate her family to Phuket to join Amatara Wellness Resort.

TripAdvisor appoints Lindsay Nelson as president of the company’s core experience business unit

TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel site, today announced that Lindsay Nelson will join the company as president of TripAdvisor’s Core Experience (CoreX) business unit, effective October 30, 2018. In this role, Nelson will oversee the global TripAdvisor platform and brand, helping the nearly half a billion customers that visit TripAdvisor monthly have a better and more inspired travel planning experience.

Nelson is currently chief commercial officer for Vox Media, known for its portfolio of brands that go deep into consumer passion points: SB Nation (sports), Eater (restaurants and nightlife), The Verge (consumer technology), Vox (explanatory journalism), Curbed (neighbourhoods and real estate), Polygon (gaming and entertainment), and Recode (technology news). She previously served as the company’s chief marketing officer.

Nelson spent the last four years leading the commercial and marketing efforts at Vox Media, helping the company grow into one of the largest, most diversified modern media companies with award winning assets across television, podcasts, websites and proprietary technology solutions used by publishers and marketers. Nelson was responsible for revenue growth across the company’s core advertising businesses, overseeing sales, marketing, branded content, conferences & experiential, analytics, sponsorships, and operations.

Ann Hope to depart Cruise & Maritime Voyages

After four years with Cruise & Maritime Voyages, Ann Hope will be stepping down as national accounts manager (AU & NZ) for Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) Australia.

Hope has provided consistent support for agent partners during her time with CMV, offering a wealth of knowledge on the cruise and travel industry. She will, however, continue to support CMV on a consultancy basis for special projects.

Hope’s final day with CMV will be Friday 26 October 2018. CMV will announce her successor in due course. In the meantime, key contacts at CMV are:

• Wendy Hernan, Business Development Manager, WA (P: +61 408 300 467, E: whernan@cmvaustralia.com)
• Faye Larrarte, Business Development Manager, NSW & QLD (P: +61 411 344 839, E: FLarrarte@CMVAustralia.com)