August 2008 Archives

Jennifer Dallas has been appointed by ski specialist Flexiski as its e-commerce and marketing executive following its recent relocation to offices in Kingston.

Bringing with her a wealth of sales and marketing experience from her time in the travel industry, Jennifer's responsibilities include trade, corporate and consumer marketing, with a particular focus on e-commerce.

Commenting on her appointment, Jennifer said: "We have ambitious plans to boost the Flexiski brand profile which include strengthening relationships and raising awareness with agents, developing the website as a lively and informative resource and really playing to our core brand strengths of flexibility, quality and personal service.

"We are one of the only ski specialists to offer short chalet breaks in both Meribel and St Anton, meaning that busy clients can squeeze one or more personalised ski breaks into the season, without eating into their holiday time."
Jennifer reports to Flexiski's commercial sales manager, Natalie Batchelor.

Ross Parker has been appointed commercial manager at Bournemouth-based tour operator and airline Palmair.

Parker, 32, has been with the company for 12 years and his role will include the contracting of hotel beds, flight planning and looking at new routes.

He said: "There's no doubt that 2008 has been a difficult year for the travel trade and 2009 may be equally tough. Airlines and tour operators will have to be sharper and more imaginative than ever and I aim to help that process at Palmair."

This year Palmair celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of its first holiday flight from Bournemouth, which operated to Palma in October 1958.

Parker said the company was in a good position to weather the difficult times in the industry.

"We're an established name with high brand loyalty, a substantial level of repeat business and a popular range of destinations from a local airport."

Tricia Brough has been appointed manager at North Petherton's Walnut Tree Hotel.

Tricia, 51, began her career in the airforce before moving through a variety of roles including working in Britannia Building Society and spending six years in Italy before moving back to England to study for a degree in International relations and political economy.

She spent five years working at Alton Towers, starting in the back office and progressing through a number of roles including senior receptionist and managing the whole of the front desk.

When her partner moved to Somerset, Tricia saw it as an ideal opportunity to move back to the countryside and says it's fabulous.

She said: "I love Somerset. I was born in a little village and it's very much like being back home. Everyone is so friendly and people take the time to talk to each other - everyone knows each other.

"I'm getting used to everyone's foibles and a totally different working environment."

She added: "At Alton Towers, the hotel was very modern. Here at the Walnut Tree, each of the rooms are different and very individual. The hotel has grown and developed over the years and we're still making changes to the rooms. I absolutely love it here."

The Walnut Tree Hotel is owned by Steve and Kristine Williams who welcomed Tricia on board.

Steve said: "Tricia is already proving to be a huge asset to the hotel. She's very efficient and fantastic with the guests and has built up a good rapport with the staff. I hope she's here for a long time!"
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For further information please contact Stephen Williams at the Walnut Tree Hotel on 01278 662255.

Online resort accommodation specialist youtravel.com has expanded its UK and international sales teams.

The UK team, headed up by recently promoted national sales manager Liz Garfield, has two new members.

Two new office-based sales support executives have joined the team in Woking, Surrey.  Lucy Franklin joins from Virgin Holidays Retail and Kate Carter from Espirit Holidays.

Jennie Skoglund, a recent graduate of Bournemouth University's BA Tourism and Business Management, has joined the international sales team as international sales executive.

She reports to Sofia Zournatzidi who oversees international sales at youtravel.com.

Online resort accommodation specialist youtravel.com has made additions to its team as it plans expansion in its long-haul product range and into more international markets.

Malcolm Archbold takes on the new role of long-haul contracts and XML business development manager and is based in youtravel.com's Athens office.

He reports into group managing director Graham Nichols and Vassilis Syngelakis, group hotels and product strategy director.

He joins youtravel.com from Alpha International Accommodation where he was product manager for seven months - prior to this he was with Gold Medal for nine years.

Kayak.com, the world's largest travel search engine, has announced the appointment of Faisal Galaria to the role of managing director, Europe and Asia.

Galaria brings with him extensive international business and corporate development experience, acquired within entertainment, technology and telecommunications markets with high-profile companies such as Skype, FON and Jaman.

Based in London, Galaria is responsible for growing the footprint for Kayak.com across Europe and Asia. 

He is charged with building and managing Kayak.com's international business development.

This team will focus on adding new travel providers including airlines, hotels, rental car companies and online travel agencies to Kayak.com's comprehensive search. Galaria will also look to drive more traffic to Kayak.com's European and Indian sites, through strategic partnerships with leading international brands. 

James Berry has been appointed general manager at the new Park Inn Peterborough opening later this year, bringing a varied 11 years of experience within the hospitality industry to the role.

Berry joined Park Inn late in 2005 when the Northampton Moat House, where he was Operations Manager, was taken over by The Rezidor Hotel Group and re-branded Park Inn Northampton.

Most recently, Berry was General Manager at Park Inn Thurrock, a position he held since November 2007.

During his time with The Rezidor Hotel Group, Berry has gained a wealth of experience being actively involved with the management of a number of hotels.

During his time at Park Inn Northampton, he also took on brief acting General Manager positions for the Park Inn hotels in Watford, Bedford and Thurrock, before joining another of Rezidor's hotel brands - Radisson SAS - as Director of Operations at Radisson SAS Hotel London Stansted Airport.

Chairman of Aer Arann, Padraig O'Ceidigh, has announced the appointment of Paul Schütz as the airline's chief executive designate. He will take over as chief executive on 1 January 2009 and on the same day, Aer Arann's current CEO, Garry Cullen, will become a non-executive board director.
 
Paul Schütz joined Aer Arann in 2006 as chief financial officer and company secretary. He has more than 18 years' experience in the airline industry including senior finance and general management roles. He is a Management Accountant and a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. 
 
Padraig O'Ceidigh said: "These are excellent appointments for Aer Arann because they offer both a smooth transition period and high levels of continuity as we continue with our development plans."
 
Paul Schütz began his airline industry career with Ryanair before moving to British Airways as Finance Analyst. He went on to become Director of Finance and Administration at Virgin Express and then moved to BWIA West Indies Airways, initially as Chief Financial Officer and later becoming Joint General Manager.

He later joined Eirjet as Managing Director in 2004 before he was recruited to join Aer Arann two years later. 
 
 
For more information on Aer Arann, visit 

Moreno Intranova has joined Cadogan Holidays as group sales manager, where he will provide support for group bookings of nine passengers or more for leisure trips, corporate incentives and weddings. 

Moreno will also support the growing team in the special interest market.

Moreno has been in the travel industry for 13 years, where he has spent the majority of his time working for high-end luxury travel companies, including Crystal Holidays, Abercrombie & Kent, and Western & Oriental.

Before joining Cadogan Holidays, Moreno spent two and a half years working for a small, bespoke luxury tour operator, The Holiday Planner, in South West London, where he was in charge of VIP travel for city executives.

Moreno has travelled extensively and built up a strong network of contacts around the globe, with particular expertise in Europe, the Middle East, Russia, North Africa and India.

Contact details:

E: Moreno.Intranova@cadoganholidays.com

T: 02380 828386