This wrap-up of the newest industry promotions is perfect for a bit of Friday motivation. Or you can make like us and leave early to try again on Monday.

Basham joins On The Go Tours as global head of industry sales

On The Go Tours has announced Dennis Basham as new global head of industry sales

With a distinguished industry background that includes over 14 years at Virgin Australia and more recently roles with Scoot Airlines and Back-Roads Touring, Basham will be based at On The Go Tour Brisbane headquarters.

Dennis Basham says: “On The Go Tours is committing to all distribution channels and I’m delighted that I will be able to further drive this in my new role in the business.”

Recently, On The Go Tours received a substantial investment from growth capital firm Alcuin Capital Partners LLP (“Alcuin”) for an undisclosed sum. After 20 years of growth, the deal sees original founders, Jay Lakshman and Scott Braidwood, remain as significant shareholders.

New ETG national sales appointment

Express Travel Group (ETG) today announced the appointment of Jason Aghan into the new position of national sales manager effective 5th November in their Melbourne Head Office.

Known to many in the industry during his time at Cathay Pacific where Aghan departed the airline after 29 years of service most recently as manager VIC/TAS and Corporate, Aghan’s key responsibilities will cover revenue growth and preferred sales performance within the ETG family of brands which now includes the Select Travel Group, Independent Travel Group and italktravel franchise network.

The appointment of Aghan follows the return of Jonathan Nelson, GM sales to Perth effective 01st Jan 2019 who will move into a new role as regional manager WA/SA. Nelson is returning to WA for family reasons after spending the last seven years in Melbourne head office and is looking forward to driving ETG’s presence within those markets. Nelson will also be involved with national projects directly with ETG head office particularly concerning new markets.

The Byron at Byron appoints first resort operations manager, Adam Males

Adam Males has been appointed resort operations manager at The Byron at Byron Resort and Spa, a newly created role for the regional destination. In an exciting time of rapid growth, the appointment follows recent recognition by Conde Nast Traveller’s Reader Awards, with The Byron at Byron landing in the top 10 hotels and resorts in the Australasia/ South Pacific region and The Restaurant receiving One Hat in the 2019 Good Food Guide Awards.

Currently living in Burleigh Heads, Males comes with 10 years of experience in the hotel sector. With senior roles at Spicers Retreats, Qualia and Establishment Hotel, Males has diverse experience in all areas of the luxury market, including General Management.

The newly created role will see Males engage with guests and create memorable experiences that are bespoke to The Byron at Byron. Males hopes to take the resort to a new level of relaxed luxury by identifying areas of growth and development of departments throughout the resort.

“The Byron at Byron has an impeccable reputation, not only in the Byron Bay region but nationally. I see plenty of opportunities to continue on the great name that we have here,” Adam Males, resort operations manager, The Byron at Byron.

Mango Tree appoints F&B expert Alison Vickers as it expands across UK & Europe

Leading Asian restaurant operator, Mango Tree Worldwide, is planning to significantly increase its footprint in the UK and Europe following a new partnership with Alison Vickers, the renowned international F&B consultant.

Vickers, who spent more than 17 years as a director of YO! Sushi, will now become the UK representative for Mango Tree. She will be tasked with identifying new opportunities for Mango Tree to expand its portfolio of Thai restaurants in the UK, Western Europe and Scandinavia, focusing on major transport hubs such as airports and railway stations.

This is an area of expertise for Vickers, who’s company, Auriac Associates, was founded with the goal of helping F&B groups expand into “non-traditional locations” including transport centres. It also marks a continuation of Mango Tree’s successful strategy in Asia, which has already seen the launch of outlets in locations such as Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport and Tokyo Station.

Air Tahiti Nui welcomes new GM for AU/NZ Region

Daniel Eggenberger has been appointed Air Tahiti Nui general manager Pacific, covering the Australian and New Zealand markets.

The Swiss national has relocated to the region from Amsterdam where he spent the past four years as a strategic consultant on projects ranging from arts to aviation and e-commerce to hospitality.

After starting his career in finance, Eggenberger moved into the aviation sector where he gained valuable experience over the past 18 years in sales, marketing, commercial and consulting roles.

He held several management posts at KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Air France including Sales and Marketing Manager in Zürich and Vienna, commercial director for Central and Eastern Europe in Geneva, and Country Manager in Oslo, where he oversaw seven gateways operating more than 30 daily flights.