Flavour of the Week: LATAM’s new CEO, RCL gets new agency, Uber Air appoints boss + MORE!
There has been an awful lot of movement in the travel industry recently, so we’ve prepared a mammoth wrap-up of all the latest appointments to give you some to toast to down at the pub later today.
Australian Cruise Association announces new committee appointments
New executive and management committee appointments were voted on last Friday, September 6 at the AGM held at the Australian Cruise Association (ACA) Conference in Geelong.
Two positions were replaced, with Thor Elliott (Fremantle Ports) stepping down at the end his six-year term and his role as ACA treasurer, and Jay McKenzie (Bob Wood Cruise Group) also finishing her term. Matthew Carley (Port of Brisbane) and Karlie Cavanagh (Inchcape Shipping Services) were voted onto the committee. Scott Lovett (Tourism NT) and Martin Bidgood (Intercruises) have been re-appointed to the committee.
LATAM Airlines announces new CEO
LATAM Airlines Group announced today that its CEO, Enrique Cueto Plazo, will step down from his role on March 31, 2020, after 25 years. The position will be assumed by the group’s current Chief Commercial Officer, Roberto Alvo Milosawlewitsch.
This announcement comes at a time of stability for the group, which has successfully overcome long periods of a complex global and regional context, to carry out a seldom seen transformation in the airline industry to create the largest airline group in Latin America.
The succession will take effect on March 31, 2020, allowing for a well-planned transition, while maintaining focus on strategic priorities and ongoing projects.
Busabout welcomes new marketing manager
Busabout, the flexible travel experts, are delighted to welcome new marketing manager Jacinda Alderson to their Australian team.
Jacinda joins Busabout after two years with Easyjet in the UK as brand, content and social manager, and then as interim head of brand, launching award-winning campaigns during her time. Prior to that Jacinda spent six years working with News Corp in a variety of areas including financial reporting, politics and as an award-nominated business columnist. She was also previously integral in leading Wotif.com’s customer service team, fraud investigation team and supplier accounts.
Jacinda’s passion for travel and wealth of experience across the marketing umbrella will be a real asset to the Busabout team and she is currently on the road experiencing the very best of Busabout on Hop-on Hop-off Europe & Sail Croatia.
Tourism Noosa appoints new CEO
Tourism Noosa is delighted to announce the appointment of Melanie Anderson as the organisation’s new chief executive officer.
Anderson has had a long career in senior executive roles spanning a number of industries nationally and internationally. Her most recent experience has been working for the Queensland Government as general manager of tourism industry development within the State Department of Innovation, Tourism Industry Development and Commonwealth Games.
Anderson also led the Queensland Government’s strategy to grow the tourism industry and create jobs by delivering Outback Tourism Infrastructure programs, including promoting the Year of Outback Tourism for 2019. These programs developed 30 new tourism products across Queensland and delivered new employment opportunities for the region.
Previously Melanie oversaw the growth of the aviation industry in Queensland during her time in the Department of State Development and has worked with both Brisbane Marketing and the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, attracting major events and visitors to Queensland.
Melanie will commence her role as CEO for Tourism Noosa in early November, taking over the role from Steve McPharlin who is taking an extended overseas holiday with his family.
Avis Budget Group appoints Keith Rankin as president of international region
Avis Budget Group, the leading global provider of mobility solutions, has recently appointed Keith Rankin as president of the international region, which includes Europe, the Middle East, Africa (EMEA), Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
Before his appointment, Rankin was chief executive for the automotive division at Barloworld in South Africa – a licensee partner of Avis Budget Group. Barloworld is a distributor of leading global brands, providing integrated rental, fleet management, product support and logistics solutions.
Rankin started his career at Avis in 1998 where he led the financial planning department. In 2000, Rankin was involved in the purchase of Avis businesses in Norway and Sweden, then later appointed as Chief Executive of Avis Car Rental Southern Africa in 2004.
Royal Caribbean Cruises appoints Thinkerbell as strategy, creative and PR agency
Thinkerbell has been appointed the strategic, creative and PR agency for RCL Cruises after a competitive pitch process led by EnthDegree.
The appointment takes effect immediately and includes marketing strategy and creative for Royal Caribbean International as well as public relations responsibilities for Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara.
Havas Media wins TripAdvisor’s global media account
Havas Media has been appointed as TripAdvisor’s global media agency of record, following a competitive global pitch.
The win bolsters Havas Media’s travel credentials in Australia by adding to their current category clients Destination NSW, Emirates and Resorts World Sentosa.
The new partnership with TripAdvisor will draw on Vivendi, the parent company of Universal Music Group, StudioCanal, Gameloft and Havas, to help build engagement with the TripAdvisor brand with hundreds-of-millions of travellers worldwide.
The appointment is one of a series of wins in the travel category in 2019 for the agency.
Including expanding the agency’s remit on Destination New South Wales to include all of its social media planning, buying and content, as well as a very successful award season for long term agency-client Emirates with their campaign ‘Find Your True North’.
Uber appoints Natalie Malligan as head of Uber Air
Uber has announced Natalie Mulligan as the head of Uber air for Australia, where she will be responsible for making Uber’s ambitious urban aviation plans a reality.
Australia will be the first international market outside of the United States for Uber Air, with Melbourne being selected as the third official pilot city alongside Dallas and Los Angeles. The plan is for commercial operations to commence from 2023.
Malligan previously worked in Uber’s ridesharing business as head of cities for Australia and New Zealand. She was approached to lead Uber Air in Melbourne while on maternity leave.
Hilton Fiji welcomes two new members to its management team
Hilton Fiji welcomed two new members to its management team this month. Nauman Hasan has taken on the role of hotel manager of DoubleTree by Hilton Fiji – Sonaisali Island, while Waleed Hassan has joined as cluster commercial director of both Hilton Fiji Beach Resort & Spa and DoubleTree by Hilton Fiji – Sonaisali Island.
Manish Puri appointed GM of Six Senses Shaharut in Israel
Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas has tapped Manish Puri as the general manager for its upcoming property, Six Senses Shaharut, Israel, scheduled to open in early 2020.
Puri joins Six Senses Shaharut following a stint as general manager of Six Senses Uluwatu, Bali. He began his Six Senses career as general manager of Evason Ma’In Hot Springs and Six Senses Spa in Jordan before serving five years with the multi-award winning Six Senses Yao Noi in Thailand, followed by Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain in China.
With more than 25 years in the hospitality industry and an 11-year veteran with Six Senses, Puri graduated from the prestigious Oberoi School of Hotel Management and completed the Oxford Advanced Management and Leadership program with the University of Oxford. Besides completing the Cornell University Professional Development Program with an Advanced Certification in Real Estate and Hotel Investment, he had also successfully completed the General Manager’s Program. Manish is also a certified wine sommelier by the International Wine Guild of America.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
Australian Cruise Association Avis Budget Group busabout Havas Media Hilton Fiji latam Royal Caribbean Cruises Six Senses tourism noosa tripadvisor uberLatest News
Australia fails to make top 10 destination list for American travellers
Australia's top cities have failed to make the grade with American travellers this northern summer, with no local city in the top.
APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures
APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]
ANZAC Battlefield travel on the 2025 bucketlist
As Anzac Day dawns, agents prepare for a surge in bookings for the 110th anniversary of the Anzac Cove landings.
Former Channel 9 Getaway host and founder of TRIBE Jules Lund to speak at Travel DAZE
From blond-tipped travel reporter to Travel DAZE speaker, Jules Lund cuts through the BS.
HX’s Roald Amundsen finds aliens in the Antarctic
Forget whales, HX's MS Roald Amundsen captures aliens in the Antarctic - and they're not pretty.
Mayhem in France as 70% of flights face cancellation
I mean it wouldn't be France if there wasn't at least one strike.
Etihad Airways launches double-decker service with world’s only in-air three-room suite
We imagine falling asleep in the three-room suite is superior to falling asleep on your neighbour's shoulder.
Norwegian Cruise Line launches 2024 Europe travel season
Europe certainly has a lot of ports. Its time for Australia to up its game.
“The power of travel for positive change” – Intrepid’s Jenny Gray hails controversial all-women Saudi Arabia trip
There is an awful lot to love about this tour from Intrepid. Where do we sign up?
Princess names the Sun, unveils Sanctuary Collection + Star Princess to Alaska in ’26
A huge bottle of Veuve was smashed into the side of the ship to make things official. So no, we couldn't snag a glass.
Collette special offers across peak northern summer season
If you are craving a trip to Europe then grab this deal with both of your grubby hands.
Air India and All Nippon codeshare between the two countries
Here at TW we agreed that the photo would have worked better if they had swapped planes.
A&K offers minimum 18 weeks paid parental leave
Contrary to what the photo suggests this benefit is only applicable for humans. Back to work Mrs Jumbo.
NH Hotel Group rebrands as Minor Hotels Europe & Americas
Hang around the bends of the hotels. We imagine they will be full of a lot of branded content.
Scenic Eclipse II – the business of creating unforgettable life-changing memories
These cruise brothers from another mother offer a view of cruising on Scenic Eclipse II that is poles apart.
MSC builds new hospital ship with Mercy Ships
If you want to read a story that puts a smile on your face then this is the one for you.
“I peed on myself watching this” – Social media users squirm at Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of The Seas 55ft dive video
TW is not responsible for any involuntary actions your body might have after watching this video.
FLIGHT REVIEW: Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner business class
The real bonus is you're unlikely to be around screaming children. Hoorah!
Traveltek offers travel agents new rapid deploy cruise website
As always, if you have any issue with the platform, just turn it off and on again.
Experience whale watching & classical music at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville
Disappointedly, the whales do not start singing in tune with the orchestra. Opportunity missed.
Fond, very Fond. London hotel famed for James Bond link adds ‘Classic Comforts’ lunch menu
James Bond author Ian Fleming was so fond if this hotel, it inspired the legendary phrase ‘shaken, not stirred’.
What sets Eclipse Travel apart with Africa expert Hilary Dubyk: Travel Weekly TV
If you want to know more about Africa, then Hilary Dubyk is your person.
Surge in Australians visiting Japan
Feel like all of your friends have just returned from Europe? Now it's Japan.
Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit
Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]
Sydney named 17th best place to work remotely
If you struggle to get a seat within Sydney's coffee shops, you now know why.
W Melbourne grows sales team
We appreciate the thought that has gone into this team photo.
Cunard welcomes new ship Queen Anne
This might be the most impressive ship handover in ship handover history.
Intrepid Travel appoints Yvette Thompson as general manager sales & marketing ANZ
It isn't end-of-day Monday and Yvette Thompson has already nabbed herself an impressive promotion.
Anna Fawcett re-joins Global Touring in newly-created APAC role
With such an impressive CV, Global Touring is no doubt thrilled to have Fawcett back.
“We know our response has been far from perfect” – Emirates’ open letter following Dubai flooding
If you also need to write an apology letter, then this is a pretty good template.
Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa
Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]
Virgin Australia’s HILARIOUS second instalment of the ‘Bring on Wonderful’ campaign
We don't use the word 'hilarious' lightly, but this is worthy of the title.
Visit Sunshine Coast reveals new brand identity
If you were looking for another reason to visit the Sunshine Coast then this is it.
Sofitel launches brand campaign starring Sex Education’s Gillian Anderson
We can confirm the content of this video is less spicy than Sex Education.
Holland America Line gives agents the chance to visit Alaska on 11-day Famil
If you've ever wanted to see a Polar Bear (and who doesn't?), now is your time.
More than 65 luxury agents gather in Sydney for Best of the Best dinner
This looks like a fabulous do. We imagine there may be a few (or maybe 65) sore heads this morning!