Here’s all the latest news on the movers and shakers of the Aussie travel industry.

Cruiseco CEO exits

Travel Weekly can confirm that Amanda McClelland has resigned from her CEO post at Cruiseco after more than two years in the role.

McLelland joined Cruiseco in July 2017 from P&O, where she worked as its director of customer sales and services, as well as director for business improvement, for the cruise line’s Australian operations.

In a statement to Travel Weekly, Cruiseco chairman Kevin Dale said: “Amanda has been instrumental in the ongoing development of the business since the retirement of Cruiseco founder Steve Lloyd two years ago.”

Trafalgar appoints Vera Straubinger as head of marketing

Trafalgar is strengthening its team with the appointment of new head of marketing Vera Straubinger (featured image), who commenced her new role 31 July.

Straubinger joins Trafalgar after seven years at Suncorp, most recently as its group brand strategy lead, and prior to that delivering Virgin Australia’s rebrand as brand specialist. Straubinger also has extensive experience consulting and working agency-side in the UK with clients such as Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Mobile and Bentley.

Ray Martin joins forces with Mat McLachlan for new Western Front tour

Journalist and entertainer Ray Martin AM will co-host an exclusive tour with historian Mat McLachlan to the Western Front in June 2020.

Having travelled with Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours to the Gallipoli Peninsula for the centenary commemorations in 2015, Martin will return to the battlefields for the special 10-day tour, which will include visits to the key Australian battlefields of the Ypres Salient, Flanders and the Somme – uncovering stories of the spirit of mateship and sacrifice along the way.

Sabre appoints Brett Thorstad as VP of sales management

Sabre Corporation has appointed Brett Thorstad as vice president sales management, South East Asia and APAC joint ventures.

Thorstad will oversee sales performance and drive the retention and growth of agencies across the Southeast Asia region, while also being responsible for the strategic development of distribution partners across Asia Pacific.

Having joined Sabre in 2013, Thorstad has held high-profile roles within the organisation, previously serving as vice president and associate general counsel for Sabre.

Before joining the team in Singapore, Thorstad was responsible for leading Sabre’s legal support of global M&A activity, corporate finance, and other corporate transactions.

Prior to joining Sabre, Thorstad was a senior corporate associate at the Dallas office of Weil, Gotshal and Manges, an international law firm.

On The Go Tours to open Canada office

On The Go Tours is opening a reservations office in Canada, joining offices in London, Brisbane and Johannesburg.

Set to open August 1st, 2019 in Toronto, the new office will be the working base for six reservation consultants headed by Mike Quinto, general manager North America.

On The Go Tours have chosen Canada to further grow their global presence as a result of increased booking numbers from the region. Over the last 12 months bookings have increased by 20 per cent – which the company said indicates an even stronger market than the US – and is estimated to grow a further 40 per cent this year.

Trish Shepherd joins TIME board

Fiona Dalton and Trish Shepherd

The Travel Industry Mentor Experience (TIME) has announced Trish Shepherd, a seven-time TIME Mentor, has joined the TIME board.

Shepherd is renowned for her creative and collaborative leadership, a proven track record of delivering results in challenging environments and her infectious enthusiasm and passion as an advocate for the travel industry.

She joins Penny Spencer (Chair), Sue Graham, Oliver Tams and Fiona Dalton on the board of the respected travel-tourism-hospitality industry mentoring organisation.

Norwegian Cruise Line announces new executive appointments 

Norwegian Cruise Line has announced the appointment of four, newly created executive roles to manage the ongoing growth of its business across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.

Ben Angell

Ben Angell will be vice president, general manager, Norwegian Cruise Line, Australia and New Zealand. Reporting to Angell will be Nicole Costantin, continuing in her role as vice president sales; Damian Borg, senior manager national accounts; and Michelle Wiederman, senior marketing manager.

Lisa Pile

Lisa Pile will be vice president, general manager, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Australia and New Zealand. Reporting to Pile will be a director of sales; Matthew Vince, senior marketing nanager OCI/RSSC; and Angela Tobeck, business development executive and inside sales.

Jason Worth

Jason Worth will be vice president, general manager, Oceania Cruises, Australia and New Zealand. Reporting to Worth will be a director of sales, and Matthew Vince, senior marketing manager OCI/RSSC.

Felix Chan

Felix Chan will be the vice president, general manager for all three brands in Asia. Reporting to Chan will be Brigitte Martin, marketing director Asia and the NCLH leadership teams in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Mumbai, Singapore and Tokyo.

Fraser Suites Sydney appoints new hotel manager

Frasers Hospitality Australia has appointed Albert Pilarski as the new hotel manager for Fraser Suites Sydney.

With over 17 years of hospitality experience, Pilarski has made his mark on the industry in management roles, most recently at TFE Hotels. He oversaw large-scale refurbishments, hotel openings and company re-branding projects.

At Fraser Suites Sydney, Pilarski will be responsible for maintaining the property’s 5-star serviced apartment standard and managing the refurbishment of the property’s luxurious and spacious suites which will take place in the early 2020.

Sun Island Tours appoints new marketing manager ahead of expansion

Sun Island Tours is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Woods to manage its strategic brand and marketing activities, as it gears up for a major expansion later this year.

With a successful background in tour wholesaling, destination marketing and communications spanning more than 15 years, Woods moved to the NSW Northern Rivers region last year from Sydney, establishing a boutique marketing consultancy just outside Byron Bay.