This week’s seen a heap of appointments across the industry. Lucky for you, we’ve brought together all those who didn’t get a standalone mention here.

Tourism Training Australia hires new exec

Julian Harniman has been appointed as Tourism Training Australia’s new executive officer. Harniman joins the organisation after previous employment as head of public affairs and communications at Restaurant & Catering, and head of government relations and communications at the Caravan Industry Association of Australia.

Harniman has also held a position as adviser to Bob Baldwin, former Shadow Federal Minister for Tourism and Regional Development.

Travel Associates appoints Nicole Costantin to lead ASPIRE

Nicole Costantin (pictured above) will lead Travel Associates’ new brand and product platform, ASPIRE, as general manager.

With a strong history in the leisure, travel and tourism industry, Constantin will be responsible for developing, launching and managing a comprehensive range of curated luxury leisure products and client benefits under the newly created ASPIRE brand.

She joins Travel Associates with an impeccable 30-year history in the industry, most recently following a successful two-decade stint at Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) as vice president of sales.

The ASPIRE program will form the backbone of Travel Associates’ own product range, delivering curated holiday experiences for individual Travel Associates clients, as well as exclusive bonuses and valuable additions such as guaranteed room upgrades, signature experiences, customised service, and sought-after amenities.

Flourish secures Avalon Airport PR account

Pictured (L to R): Flourish creative director Phil Ceberano, Avalon Airport executive chairman David Fox, and Flourish managing director Angela Ceberano

The new decade has taken off for creative communications agency, Flourish, after winning the public relations, creative content and social media account for Melbourne’s Avalon Airport.

The agency will be responsible for taking the brand to new heights and creating awareness to the many great and unknown benefits that come with travelling by Avalon Airport, which is owned by the Linfox Group.

Working as an extension of its marketing and communications team, Flourish will develop and implement a high impact strategy to drive brand awareness and create further foot traffic for the humble airport located just 50kms from Melbourne CBD.

The new appointment coincides with Avalon Airport’s next generation of growth, with its first flight from Bali with Citilink Indonesia touching down in late January. The business has also enlisted one of Australia’s most loved personalities Shane Jacobson to spearhead its marketing campaign in 2020.

Tahiti Tourisme selects Nouvelle Vague Marketing as new representative agency for ANZ

Sydney-based Nouvelle Vague Marketing has been appointed to represent Tahiti Tourisme and promote the Tahitian islands in Australia and New Zealand.

The organisation is expected to bring a new approach and fresh perspective to the promotion of Tahiti in the region.

Abu Dhabi renews partnership with Sojern and Spark Foundry to drive tourism

Sojern has announced a new partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism ­– Abu Dhabi, building on its already established relationship with the emirate.

While the department has been working with Spark Foundry and Sojern since December 2017, the new partnership will see it incorporate Sojern’s real-time travel audience targeting capabilities directly into its ad-buying system, or DSP (Demand Side Platform), offering increased transparency and control over digital marketing campaigns.

CROSSROADS Maldives appoints new cluster director of sales and marketing

Audra Arul

CROSSROADS Maldives announced the appointment of Audra Arul as cluster director of sales and marketing for the complex, with responsibilities encompassing its two newly opened hotels: SAii Lagoon Maldives, a Curio Collection by Hilton hotel, and Hard Rock Hotel Maldives.

Audra Arul comes to CROSSROADS Maldives to continue a successful career which has focused on hotel sales and marketing with internationally recognised hospitality companies, including Accor, Marriott, Hyatt, and most recently, with Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts.

In her new role, Arul will be responsible for the overall commercial objectives of CROSSROADS Maldives and the two resorts, including achieving goals in revenue generation, yield management and brand engagement.

Mackerel Islands appointed as new management operator of Karijini Eco Retreat

Mackerel Islands Pty Ltd, a WA owned award-winning hospitality company specialising in accommodation and tours in remote and unique locations in regional Western Australia, has been appointed as the new management company of Karijini Eco Retreat, owned by Gumala Enterprises Pty Ltd.

Following a competitive tender process, the management contract was awarded today 6 February 2020, to Mackerel Islands’ subsidiary Karijini Adventures Pty Ltd, with the handover to take effect on 1 March 2020.

CWT appoints Nick Vournakis to head-up newly expanded Global Customer Group

B2B4E company CWT has announced the appointment of Nick Vournakis as head of the CWT Global Customer Group.

This newly expanded position will encompass his existing responsibilities as president of CWT Sato Travel, CWT’s military and government division, as well as assuming responsibility for all of CWT’s global customer accounts.

Under the title of managing director Global Customer Group, and taking effect from 1 July 2020, Vournakis will continue to report to Kelly L. Kuhn, CWT’s chief customer officer.

Current Global Customer Group lead, Cathy Voss, will be appointed to a new role of senior strategic advisor, as she transitions towards retirement, having handed over to Vournakis. With effect from 1 July 2020, in her new position, she will support strategic commercial initiatives for the customer organisation, and continue to report to Kelly L. Kuhn.