Flavour of the Week induces two things on a Friday: nostalgia over Craig David and a succession of travel professionals falling asleep at their desks.

Small Group Touring Co. boosts trade links with new appointment

Small Group Touring Co., a division of the Bunnik Group, has appointed Zoe Francis (pictured above) as trade partnership manager to act as the main point of contact for the trade and develop strong relationships and opportunities to support the company’s new brand.

With a career in the travel industry spanning 13 years across wholesale touring and retail travel, including roles at Travelex and G Adventures, Francis joins Small Group Touring Co. from Bunnik Tours, where she was business development manager for the past four years.

Francis brings extensive travel experience to the role from journeys through South, Central and North America, India and Nepal to Japan and South East Asia, New Zealand, the Middle East and Europe.

Highlights have included seeing the Big 5 during safari drives in Tanzania, getting up close to the ancient icons of Egypt and witnessing the beauty of Machu Picchu.

Port of Seattle Appoints Linkd Tourism as Agency of Record

Australian-based full-service tourism representation agency Linkd Tourism has been appointed by the Port of Seattle to provide Cruise & Stay representation in Australia and New Zealand following a competitive pitch process.

Linkd Tourism will position the Port of Seattle as a gateway to exploring the USA’s Pacific Northwest, targeting Cruise & Stay passengers from Australia and New Zealand. With 27,000 Australian cruisers visiting Alaska in 2018, the Port of Seattle has identified a strong opportunity to add pre- and post-cruise stays throughout Washington State.

In 2019, the Port of Seattle will have 213 sailings and will host 1.2 million cruise passengers. Each time a homeport ship docks at the Port of Seattle, it generates $4.2million (USD) to the local economy, contributing to Washington State’s $21 billion tourism revenue.

&Beyond reorganises executive team to focus on growth opportunities and impact model

In line with its ethos of Care of the Land, Wildlife and People, conservation-led travel company &Beyond has reorganised its executive structure to increase the company’s focus on substantial growth opportunities and the acceleration of its overall impact model in its mission to leave our world a better place.

In addition to allowing the CEO to focus on expansion of operating territories and the company’s impact model, the freshly created role of chief operating officer Africa Lodges enables better coordinated planning across the company’s lodges in Africa and provides additional capacity and support to the existing team of Regional Directors.

In keeping with &Beyond’s commitment to growing and promoting from within, Niall Anderson, previously regional director East Africa, has been tasked with the new portfolio.

The position of regional director East Africa has been filled by Jane Braack, whose career with &Beyond dates back to 1996.

In view of the growth in the executive team for Africa, Mark Wheeler, previously regional managing director East Africa, Asia and South America, will now focus on overseeing growth and development in Asia and South America, as well as taking on wider responsibility for business development for the &Beyond Group.

His new role as regional managing director Asia, South America & Business Development has seen him relocate from Nairobi, Kenya, to the UK, where he joins &Beyond CEO Joss Kent in the company’s UK office.

Field and sustainability director Tony Adams will now become the dedicated conservations and community impact director, reporting directly to the CEO.

Savenio affiliate Dayana Brooke named as judge for 2019 Virtuoso Sustainable Tourism Leadership Award

Founder of The Sustainable Traveller and Savenio affiliate Dayana Brooke (featured image) has been appointed as a judge for the 2019 Virtuoso Sustainable Tourism Leadership Award to be announced at Virtuoso Travel Week in August.

Brooke’s appointment to the judging panel follows a big year of nominations and recognition for the sustainable advocate, which saw her line up as a finalist for Travel Weekly’s Women in Travel Awards and for the upcoming CATO Small Group Tour Consultant category at the upcoming NTIAs.

Brooke will also be speaking at Travel Weekly’s upcoming TED-style conference Travel DAZE, tackling travel sustainability in all its forms.

Groupe GM announces major expansion to Australia and New Zealand

Groupe GM, leading international player in the guest amenity industry, has announced today its expansion with its new exclusive partner Paris Groupe Ltd in Australia and New Zealand.

Paris Groupe will be headed by Jason Williams along with business partners Brian Tuia and Daren Manks who all bring a wealth of experience from the hospitality, retail and investment industries.