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

Australian Cruise Association extends CEO contract

Grant Gilfillan, Chair of Australian Cruise Association, today announced that the Management Committee has unanimously and enthusiastically supported the extension of Jill Abel’s contract as CEO of the Association for a three- year term.

Gilfillan began working in the cruise industry in 1995 when she became a consultant to Hobart Ports – now TasPorts – looking after the operations aspects of cruise ship visits. That position developed to include the Executive Officer role of Cruise Tasmania, where she was responsible for marketing the state as a cruise destination.

Since her appointment to the Association in 2005, Gilfillan has overseen all marketing initiatives of the member-based organisation including international sales missions and attendance at international cruise events. Through her efforts, ACA has grown the number of members attending Seatrade Cruise Global in Florida and last year lead the largest Australian delegation in the Association’s history to this vitally important event underlining the importance of cruise to Australia.

Jens O. Reichert appointed Chief Development Officer for BHMA 

Flight Centre Travel Group’s in-house hotel management company BHMA has announced the appointment of highly experienced hotel management executive Jens O. Reichert to the new position of Chief Development Officer.

With an extensive background operating hotels across the Asia Pacific, the UAE, Africa and Europe, Jens will be responsible for leading a business development team with the ultimate goal of growing BHMA’s portfolio according to its global expansion plan.

Prior to joining BHMA, Jens was Vice President of Development – Asia Pacific for Movenpick Hotels & Resorts based in Bangkok where he grew the portfolio from one to 27 operating properties and signed in excess of 45 management agreements.

His experience includes appointments as  Vice President Asset Management for IFA Hotel Investments based in Dubai, Managing Director with MINOR International based in Bangkok, General Manager positions with Four Seasons and Banyan Tree and as CEO  of JKJ Spa & Wellness Limited in Hong Kong,  to name a few.

Leadership Change at Creative Cruising

After 5 years as General Manager with Creative Cruising, Peter Forsyth has taken on a new role as Head of Business Development.

Peter has had an extensive career expanding across aviation, wholesale and hotels and his new role will see him stepping back from the day to day running of Creative Cruising and shifting focus to dedicate time expanding the business across Australia and into new markets.

Creative Cruising today announces that Caroline Hitchen has been appointed as General Manager. Caroline has been consulting for Creative Cruising for the past 12 months, in the role of Head of Marketing & Sales. In this time, Caroline has led the development and delivery of Creative Cruising’s market-leading website and online booking platform and has driven partnerships and campaigns that have resulted in double-digit sales growth.

Caroline brings over 15 years travel and hospitality industry experience and has previously held strategic roles for luxury global hotel chain Pan Pacific Hotels Group, The Travel Corporation and Destination NSW.

DNATA enhances global management team with the appointment of Dirk Goovaerts

dnata, one of the world’s largest air services providers, announced the appointment of Dirk Goovaerts as the company’s Regional Chief Executive Officer for the Asia Pacific region.

In his role, Dirk Goovaerts will oversee dnata’s operations at 10 airports in three countries, including Australia, the Philippines and Singapore, managing a workforce of 6,000 employees. Dirk Goovaerts will be based in Singapore and report to Ross Marino, Senior Vice President for dnata’s International Airport Operations division.

Dirk Goovaerts joins dnata from Saudi Ground Services Company (SGS), where he held the position of Chief Operations Officer since 2016. Leading a team of over 12,000 staff through a period of liberalization in Saudi Arabia, Dirk Goovaerts was responsible for transforming SGS to become the ground handler of choice in a new competitive environment, across 26 airports in the country.

Previously Dirk Goovaerts held senior leadership roles at Menzies Aviation with the most recent being Senior Vice President, Europe, managing the company’s operations at more than 50 airports.

Bench Africa celebrates 50 years

It is with great pleasure that Bench Africa today celebrates their 50^th year of business in the travel industry. Since 1969 Bench Africa (formerly Bench International) has been passionate about promoting the amazing destination that is Africa and has seen the travel landscape both in Africa and Australia change dramatically during this time.

Since its founding by Charles Bench the company has always stuck by Charles’ principles of ‘an in-depth knowledge and passion for Africa and today so you will always find the entire staff to be as passionate, knowledgeable and enthusiastic as ever.

Bench began its celebrations last September with a number of intimate events and will continue the celebrations this year, culminating in September with guest African suppliers and top industry partners coming together for a series of anniversary events.

TMS Talent Celebrates 25 Years at Bangkok Conference

The entire global team from TMS Talent’s offices came together in Bangkok from 7-10 March to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the company.

Established in 1994, TMS Talent has grown rapidly over the last five years, under the leadership of John Terry (Group MD) and backed by investor Steve Hamblin who was also in attendance at the event, evolving to be a truly global business with six offices across the globe – Auckland, Bangkok, Brisbane, London, Melbourne and Sydney.

TMS Talent specialises in delivering tailored recruitment solutions for professionals in the travel and hospitality sectors and prides itself on the industry knowledge and expertise of its team and its exceptional quality service.

Trafalgar appoints new managing director

Industry leader Trafalgar has today announced the appointment of Jason Wolff as its new Managing Director for Australia, commencing late April 2019.

Wolff’s experience spans over 15 years, holding various senior positions in the travel, FMCG and retail sectors. JoiningTrafalgar from his previous role as Head of Marketing for Flight Centre, Wolff has worked across a myriad of prominent organisations throughout his career including Supercheap Auto, BCF, Beaurepaires and McDonalds – delivering successful and forward-thinking integrated outcomes for these brands. 

Wolff has executed astute digital and traditional media campaigns and was instrumental in leading the brand direction and marketing teams for BCF and Ray’s Outdoors within the Super Retail Group. His skills surpass the marketing sphere, having spearheaded private brand development, CRM, social and e-commerce strategies as well as having robust experience in fundamental category management, multi-site operations, due diligence and acquisitions skills.