It’s ups and downs in this Flavour of the Week, with appointments and resignations aplenty.

Chimu appoints national sales manager

Chimu Adventures has announced the appointment of Ben Goschnick (pictured above) as its new national sales manager, after beginning his career with the company in early 2019.

Goschnick joins the new role with a wealth of industry and travel experience after previously holding roles at This is Africa and Tucan Travel.

Furthermore, the last nine months have seen Goschnick progress from Chimu’s relationship manager for NSW, ACT and Tasmania, to the newly created and highly competitive role of national sales manager.

South Australian Premier takes SA Tourism helm

The Honourable Steven Marshall MP has taken over the role of Tourism Minister (Facebook/StevenMarshallMP)

South Australia’s Premier, Steven Marshall, has taken over the top job at SA Tourism, in a move that will see him address economic recovery efforts of fire-ravaged Kangaroo Island and the Adelaide Hills.

Speaking to the announcement, Tourism & Transport Forum Australia (TTF) CEO Margy Osmond said SA is taking a “proactive” and “realistic” approach to bushfire recovery.

With the government’s support we can get the affected areas back on their feet sooner rather than later,” Osmond said.

Air New Zealand’s chief people officer to resign

Air New Zealand’s chief people officer, Jodie King, will resign from position (airnewzealand.com)

New Zealand’s national carrier has announced chief people officer Jodie King will leave to take up a new role with Vodafone New Zealand.

King joined Air New Zealand in 2013 as general manager in People Function, later appointed to chief people officer in February 2016.

She has played a key role in building the airline’s “iconic culture” and “customer focus”, Air New Zealand said.

“During her tenure we have seen strong progress in our talent attraction, people development and management, leadership development and diversity and inclusion agenda.”

Will Hodgman (Tasmanian Government)

Tasmania’s Premier, Minister for Tourism steps down in shock resignation

After six years in office, Will Hodgman, Tasmania’s Premier and Minister for Tourism, has announced his resignation as a member of State Parliament and from the position of Premier.

“I have, this morning, informed my Cabinet colleagues and the Prime Minister of what was a very difficult decision,” Hodgman said in his resignation speech.

“It is undeniable that it has an impact on my family, and I thank them for their amazing support for the 17 and a half years I have been a Member of Parliament – our children’s whole lives.

“As we approach the halfway mark, with two more years of this term of Government, I believe it is the right time for me to allow for new leadership.”

The Tasmanian Liberal Party is expected to announce his replacement early next week, according to ABC News.

Oyo to layoff thousands of employees

In an email sent to Indian employees, Oyo’s founder Ritesh Agarwal has confirmed rumours the budget hotel chain plans to lay off staff.

The note does not specify how many staff would be let go, but an Oyo insider told Skift: “at the moment it would be over 1,000 in India, 600 in China, and very few in other markets.”

In the financial year ending March 2019, Oyo reportedly chalked up losses of around $493 million (Rs 2,400 crores) – six times more than the previous financial year.

With a public listing eyed in two to three years, the company is under pressure to clean up its act, restore its image, and be profitable, Skift reported.

Christine Cheng joins Signita as sales manager in Asia

Singita is pleased to announce the appointment of Christine Cheng as sales manager for South-East Asia.

Cheng will represent Singita exclusively in the region covering Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Korea and Indonesia, as well as China in the short term.

A seasoned sales executive, she has 15 years’ experience in the luxury hotel industry, representing iconic brands such as Aman, Baglioni and Shangri-La.

Cheng obtained extensive international exposure focusing on Asia and was responsible for developing several emerging markets such as Greater China and Russia. More recently, on return to Singapore, she joined Baglioni Hotels & Resorts, as the regional director of sales for Asia.

Previously, she spent eight years at Aman, as sales manager for Amankora, Bhutan and regional director of sales for China and Taiwan.

Apollo Tourism & Leisure appoints non-executive director

Robert Baker (apollotourism.com)

Apollo Tourism & Leisure has appointed Robert Baker as an independent non-executive director. The appointment adds to Baker’s current ASX board positions, which include non-executive director and chair of the audit and risk committee of Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd.

Baker was formerly Brisbane office managing partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers and has experience in the retail, travel and hospitality sectors.

In addition to being a board member of PriceWaterhouseCoopers from 2008 to 2013, he was the lead partner for external audit, internal audit, accounting advice or due diligence assignments for several of Queensland’s well known listed multinational companies.

Corporate Travel Management appoints new board member

Corporate Travel Management Limited has appointed Jon Brett to its board as a non-executive director, with effect from 31 January 2020.

The appointment of Brett is part of CTM’s previously advised ongoing board and governance renewal process.

Brett was formerly, for over 12 years, an executive director of Investec Wentworth Private Equity Limited, and an executive of Investec Bank (Australia) Limited. Presently, he maintains the role of non-executive director at Mobilicom Limited.

Sabre names Karl Peterson non-executive chairman

Karl Peterson has been elected by Sabre Corporation’s board to serve as chairman, with current chair Larry Kellner stepping down.

Kellner will remain Sabre’s board until its annual stockholder meeting in April, this year.

John Elieson appointed chief operating officer of Travelport

Travelport has welcomed John Elieson as its new chief operating officer. Elieson will be based in Travelport’s global headquarters in Langley, Berkshire, UK.

As chief operating officer, Elieson will have strategic oversight of Travelport’s growth strategy, sales organization and M&A agenda.

Before coming to Travelport, he was president and CEO of Radixx International, a company that provides technology solutions to the airline industry and was recently acquired by Sabre.