Flavour of the Week: Hurtigruten’s new-look team, Beyond Travel’s marketing hire + MORE
Here’s the latest round of industry appointments and departures, all wrapped up courtesy of Travel Weekly…
Hurtigruten unveils new-look Aussie team
Hurtigruten has introduced an expanded team for its Australian office, which includes marketing, communications and sales experts with extensive experience in the travel industry.
The team is as follows: Steve Hona (head of sales), Joel Victoria (head of marketing), Justine Costigan (PR and communications lead), Darren Wakefield (inside sales manager), Carissa Crammond (sales consultant), Sam Manga (sales consultant), Kyle Duffield (sales consultant), Andrew Eddy (sales consultant), Tony McLeod (sales consultant), and Alexandra Morton (sales consultant).
Hurtigruten’s managing director for the Asia-Pacific, Damian Perry, said: “Our Australian sales team will work with strategic partners in Australia and New Zealand to deliver the most comprehensive knowledge and support for agents and guests booking our premium expeditions to the polar regions; tour programs including the ‘Norway in a Nutshell’ and ‘Follow the Lights’; and of course the world’s most beautiful sea voyage – Hurtigruten’s original ‘Coastal Voyage’ that travels to pristine and remote coastal communities and wilderness destinations on the Norwegian coast.
“We know that Australians and New Zealand love our authentic, immersive experiences, and our sustainability focus resonates with environmentally-conscious travellers.
“I am proud to introduce a dynamic, passionate and focused team to support the industry.”
Hurtigruten is set to announce more appointments in early 2020, including key account managers and sales team members.
Beyond Travel expands sales and marketing team
Australian owned and operated destination specialist Beyond Travel has expanded its Sydney team with the appointment of Valissa Seeto (pictured above) as its new sales and marketing coordinator.
Seeto joins Beyond with broad travel industry experience from her previous roles at Across Australia, Wendy Wu Tours, Viator, and Sydney Airport.
Airbnb’s experience chief to step down
Joseph “Joebot” Zadah, vice president of experiences at Airbnb, is set to step down from his position, according to The Information.
Zadah is one of Airbnb’s longest-serving employees, having joined the company as the third engineer when its entire product development team worked out of a bedroom in a San Francisco apartment and had a single focus on home sharing.
Silversea announces onboard team for World Cruise 2020 Legends of Cruising
Silversea Cruises has announced the executive officers who will host the cruise line’s ‘World Cruise 2020 Legends of Cruising’ – the first world cruise ever to visit all seven continents.
The 140-day voyage aboard Silver Whisper will take guests deeper into the world’s authentic beauty, unlocking experiences and destinations between Fort Lauderdale and Amsterdam from 6 January to 25 May 2020.
A skilled team of maritime, hospitality and entertainment professionals will host the pioneering 62-port journey, which will feature bespoke events, immersive shore experiences, and an array of other enhancements.
The team is as follows: Vincent Taillard (captain until 7 April 2020), Michele Macarone Palmieri (captain from 7 April 2020), Norman Rafelson (hotel director), Fernando Barroso de Oliveira (cruise director), Stefan Krede (expedition leader until 15 February 2020), and Brad Siviour (expedition leader from 15 February 2020).
Shankar Kotha joins SBC Travel Group as chief commercial officer
SBC Travel Group has announced the appointment of Shankar Kotha as the company’s new chief commercial officer.
A respected travel industry leader with global experience across distribution, sales, revenue management and commercial operations, Kotha will direct all aspects of SBC’s commercial function.
Kotha brings 20 years’ experience to SBC, and was most recently the group director of revenue management and online distribution at Minor Hotels.
Bailey, a Crystalbrook Collection Hotel, announces leadership team
Following an extensive local and national recruitment campaign and ahead of its 2 November launch, Bailey, a Crystalbrook Collection Hotel has formally announced its leadership team.
The team is as follows: Carl Taranto (general manager), Myles Minter (food and beverage outlets manager), Tyrone Hunt (executive chef), Kristina Olsen (marketing and communications manager), Erin Barnett (human resources business partner), Jaydev Walia (front office manager).
Award-winning photographer to educate guests onboard Crystal Endeavour
Leica Akademie Australia’s principal instructor and master photographer, Nick Rains (pictured above), will join Crystal Endeavor’s expedition ‘Indonesian Immersive & the Great Barrier Reef’ sailing from Bali to Cairns, departing 15 October 2020.
The partnership will see Crystal’s heralded Experiences of Discovery-themed cruises expand to include a photography voyage, with the award-winning photographer to enlighten and educate guests through interactive presentations.
Expedition guests will have the opportunity to participate in travel photography lectures on board, as well as pick up tips and tricks ashore on select landings as the luxury expedition yacht travels to stunning isles in Indonesia, exploring the rich marine-biodiversity of Raja Ampat, the ‘Spice Island’ of Banda Neira, and active volcanoes contrasting the secluded bays of Sumbawa Island.
In Australia, Crystal Endeavor will visit Thursday Island, the northernmost point of the Australian continent at Cape York, the natural wonders of the Great Barrier Reef, Lizard Island, and Cairns.
Chiva-Som appoints new executive chef
Chiva-Som has announced the promotion of Sinchai Srivipa (pictured above) to the position of executive chef ahead of the resort’s reopening, following extensive renovations, on 15 October 2019.
As executive chef, Srivipa will oversee the creative direction of Chiva-Som’s wellness cuisine.
Srivipa begins his new role following an already illustrious career as sous chef at Chiva Som. Since joining the team at Chiva-Som in 2009, he has participated in a number of high-profile events hosted in world famous restaurants, such as Mosimann’s in London in 2010.
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