Flavour of the Week: Former Cruiseco boss resurfaces, Fiji Airways appoints first female CFO + MORE!
![Flavour of the Week: Former Cruiseco boss resurfaces, Fiji Airways appoints first female CFO + MORE!](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
There’ve been some timely leadership appointments across the industry given that International Women’s Day is just around the corner. Check out our wrap-up of the latest movers and shakers below…
Ex-Cruiseco CEO sails into new role
Former Cruiseco CEO Amanda McClelland has found a new gig at Australia’s first-ever AI-powered cruise search engine, Cruisewatch.
McClelland has joined Cruisewatch as a project representative and contact person for Australia, according to a spokesperson for the company.
“She will strengthen our unique technology with local know-how,” the spokesperson said.
Windstar president steps down
After more than three-and-a-half years at the helm, Windstar Cruises president John Delaney has stepped back to focus on “personal priorities”.
Andrew Todd, who leads Windstar’s parent company, Xanterra Leisure Holding, will assume the role of CEO for the cruise line.
Additionally, Windstar’s vice president of fleet operations, Christopher Prelog, has been promoted to chief operating officer.
Fiji Airways appoints first female CFO
Fiji’s national carrier has announced the appointment of Naomi Vuibureta as chief financial officer.
Vuibureta is the first woman to be appointed to the CFO role at Fiji Airways, marking a major departure from previous appointments, all of whom were male expatriates.
In her new role, Vuibureta is responsible for overseeing all financial and accounting activity for Fiji Airways, as the airline focuses on its conservative growth plans this year in light of business challenges due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
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Naomi Vuibureta
Vuibureta joined Fiji Airways in January 2012 as its senior manager of financial planning and analysis, and quickly rose through the ranks holding positions as general manager of financial planning, analysis and business support as well as her most recent role as group financial controller.
She has over 15 years of accounting and management experience, having also worked for KPMG, Fiji Broadcasting Corporation and Digicel.
Amtrak names new CEO and president
Rail industry player Amtrak has announced the appointment of William Flynn as its next CEO and president.
A seasoned business leader with four decades of transportation and logistics experience, Flynn will begin his role on 15 April 2020.
Most recently, he served 13 years as president, CEO and chairman of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, which serves the global air freight, military charter and passenger charter markets.
Flynn has also held senior roles with CSX Transportation, Sea-Land Services and GeoLogistics Corp.
He succeeds Richard Anderson, who joined Amtrak as CEO in July 2017, and will remain with the company until the end of the year as a senior advisor to Flynn.
Air Canada is bolsters Aussie sales team
Canada’s national carrier has added new members to its local sales team in Queensland and New South Wales.
Janis McDonald joins the airline as its Brisbane-based sales account manager, and Tracy Thomas has been appointed as Air Canada’s national corporate sales account manager, based in Sydney.
During her 17-year travel industry career, McDonald has played a key role in expanding the presence of several major international carriers in the Queensland market, including Etihad, Air New Zealand and, most recently, Hawaiian Airlines.
Thomas brings to the role almost 25 years of airline sales experience, having previously held key roles in Australia managing MICE, travel management companies and corporate business with some of the world’s leading carriers including Emirates, South African Airways and Air New Zealand.
Air Canada has also welcomed Demetri Laris as its newest sales support coordinator. Laris was previously a senior sales support agent at Qatar Airways.
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Air Canada’s Sarah Constable and Fei Revel with new recruits Demetri Laris and Tracy Thomas
American Express GBT appoints chief revenue officer
American Express Global Business Travel has announced the promotion of Michael Qualantone to chief revenue officer, reporting directly to CEO Paul Abbott.
Qualantone most recently held the role of executive vice president of global supplier relations, leading both the supplier relations and meetings and events teams at American Express GBT.
CTM director retires
As part of Corporate Travel Management’s previously advised ongoing board renewal process, the company has announced the retirement of Admiral Robert J. Natter from its board.
The retirement of Natter follows the recent appointment of Jon Brett to CTM’s board.
Natter was appointed to the board in February 2014.
Airlink appoints The Walshe Group as GSA for Australia and NZ
Airlink has announced the appointment of The Walshe Group to be its GSA in Australia and New Zealand.
The company recently announced its decision to commence selling under its own ‘4Z’ flight code to enable it to develop its network on an independent basis, having previously operated under a franchise agreement with South African Airways (SAA) for many years.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
air canada Airlink Amanda McClelland American Express GBT American Express Global Business Travel Amtrak Andrew Todd Christopher Prelog corporate travel management cruiseco Cruisewatch Demetri Laris fiji airways Flavour of the Week Janis McDonald John Delaney Naomi Vuibureta Richard Anderson Robert J. Natter the walshe group Tracy Thomas William Flynn Windstar Windstar CruisesLatest News
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Low-cost Indian carrier SpiceJet continues to burn cash
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SAKA Museum recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2024
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Journey Beyond launches first brand-led campaign during Paris Olympics
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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
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Silversea taps Barbara Biffi as senior vice president for global sales
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Wendy Wu unveils new Japan travel brochure and itineraries
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UK and Europe event organisers look to venues with sustainability integrity, ICC Sydney survey finds
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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
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In a busy world, proximity to nature is the new luxury
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Circular Quay welcomes new Korean dining experience to Sydney Place
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MSC Cruises unveils a new outdoor kid-friendly attraction on World America
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Amadeus welcomes FCM Travel as new reseller partner of Cytric Easy
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Australian travellers abandon peer-to-peer stays and gravitate back to big hotels, survey finds
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Quark Expeditions launches the Ultimate Summer in the Arctic sweepstakes for travel advisors
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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
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‘Like nothing on earth’: Saudi Arabia’s new Treyam resort set in a Star Wars-style landscape
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Raffles Hotels and Resorts is set to open in Tokyo in 2028
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‘A true honour’ – Andrew Stark wins Flight Centre Director’s Award for the second time
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Club Med debuts travel agent portal 2.0 with bonus prize for tops sales
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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
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Cairns Airport unveils display of support for FNQ youth
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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
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Push to revive Parramatta’s iconic Roxy Theatre into entertainment destination
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Qatar Airways signs an expansion to Boeing 777-9 aircraft order
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Flight Centre shares down following revised profit guidance
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