October 2008 Archives

Travelport GDS has announced the appointment of Olaf Gueldner as managing director of its newly formed Europe and Brazil region.

With responsibility for growing the company's overall presence in the region, Gueldner will also be charged with maximising the growth opportunities that Travelport GDS has identified in the emerging economies of Russia and Eastern Europe.

Gueldner has previously held a number of senior positions both within and outside of the travel industry including, director of marketing, partnership and leisure sales for Avis in EMEA and Asia as well as senior consultant for Bain and Company.

"Olaf brings with him a wealth of knowledge and management experience, a proven track record of revenue growth and a customer focussed approach to service and product. He will be a great asset to the Travelport GDS team," said Armin Meier, Chief Commercial Officer for Travelport GDS. 

 

The Icelandic Tourist Board has named Sigrídur Gróa Thórarinsdóttir as its new marketing manager for the UK and Ireland.

Thórarinsdóttir has a 25-year career history in tourism and has pledged to further enhance support for the travel trade in the UK, the largest single market for tourism to Iceland.

Married with two daughters, Thórarinsdóttir's former roles include tourism director for the North West Iceland. She has also worked for tour operators in Iceland and Germany, as well as a major Icelandic groups organiser.

Cheapflights has announced the appointment of Spencer Davies as senior account manager. This appointment supports Cheapflights expansion plans to drive business growth and continue market penetration.

Davies will be based in London and report to Cheapflights' head of sales, Sarah Hanan. He brings a wealth of experience from both travel and non-travel companies.

Davies spent four years working as a senior account manager at Teletext where he earned an excellent reputation for delivering significant return to the business.

 

Robert Logan has been appointed as general manager at Sandy Lane Barbados. 

Dermot Desmond, chairman of the Sandy Lane Board, said, "We are very pleased to welcome Robert to Sandy Lane.  As the resort reopens after an invigorating renovation this fall, he will join our team at the beginning of a pivotal phase in our resort's history.  Robert will be instrumental in leading Sandy Lane to new levels of success."

Logan joins Sandy Lane with more than 20 years of international management experience within some of the world's leading luxury hotels and resorts. 

 

Paula Cullen has joined Co-operative Travel Management as national director of sales. 

Taking up her post immediately, she will report directly to the head of the business, Anthony Rissbrook.

Cullen joins Co-operative Travel Management from Capita Business Travel, where she was director of sales and marketing. Prior to this she spent four years as head of business development at TheTrainLine.com.

 

 

 

 

Escorted tour operator Collette Worldwide Holidays has just appointed Lee Foster as their new northern UK and Scotland sales manager.

He brings to the job a wide experience of sales, largely in the motor industry, having worked on Mini, Renault and Vauxhall brands. He has also worked for HMV and Scottish & Newcastle and Brown.

Foster said, "I couldn't be joining Collette at a better time - in the month since I started they've won two major awards and there's a real feeling amongst the team that the company is going places - in every sense!  I'm really enjoying my time on the road and looking forward to forging strong relationships with travel agents in the North and in Scotland."

 

All America has announced the appointment of Glen Thomas as their new sales manager.

Formerly in a senior position at the Leisure Estates Group, which included Snow-line, the ski specialist agency, Thomas is delighted with the opportunity to develop the All America brand.

Thomas said, "I am relishing the opportunity to take All America forward and increase its presence in the market place - in particular with our many agency partnerships. All America has such a strong name which is tied in with an outstanding reputation. What is more they specialise in the Americas - my favourite part of the world - what could be better?"

 

The Tunisian National Tourist Office (TNTO) has appointed Anissa Ramoundi as the new UK and Ireland director.

Ramoundi will be taking over the role previously held by Neji Ben Othman.

She began her career with TNTO in 1996 where she worked in the marketing and communications department in Tunis. In 2006, after ten years in Tunis, she moved to the position of director of the Tunisian National Tourist Office in Lisbon.

In her new role, Ramoundi will continue the work already set in motion to position Tunisia as a beach holiday destination but also to promote the country's additional offerings such as golf, spas, dars, archaeology and the Sahara.

For more, check out the UK Tunisia web site.

Qatar Airways has appointed Duncan McCubbin as sales manager for the north of England.
 
McCubbin brings 26 years of travel industry experience to the role, including an extensive grounding in corporate sales management gained in his last position at Delta Air Lines, where he progressed to head of sales UK corporate and played an integral part in successfully exceeding revenue targets.
 
Brett McDougall, Qatar Airways regional manager south and west Europe commented, "We are delighted to welcome Duncan to the team and are confident that his extensive experience will prove invaluable in growing Qatar Airways' sales in the region. With daily flights from Manchester connecting 83 destinations, the North of England is a key hub for Qatar Airways." 
 

The Portuguese National Tourist Office has appointed Miguel Perestrello as new director of tourism in the UK.

Perestrello, 35, is a former cabinet member of the Portuguese Secretary of State for Tourism. He was heavily involved in developing Portugal's National Strategic Plan for Tourism, a government programme implementing a series of initiatives to encourage the sustained growth of national tourism.

The London based tourist office works under the guidance of Turismo de Portugal, which recently won the 2008 World Travel Award for Europe's leading Tourist Board. The UK team of Teresa Ventura, José Aragão and Carlos Oliveira will report directly into the new Director of Tourism.

 

Encore Tickets has appointed Deborah Plet as travel trade sales manager.

Deborah has been promoted from within Encore Tickets' travel trade sales team and has extensive knowledge and experience in travel, hotel and ticket operations in many sectors of the travel industry.

Encore has also promoted Lucy Bailey to Group Sales Supervisor in the award winning UK Groups Department.

Lucy has 15 years experience of experience in the ticketing industry, and joined Encore earlier this year as Reservations Supervisor.

Said Johan Oosterveld, Director of Sales at Encore Tickets,"In such a fast-moving industry, it is essential that we remain just as dynamic in our workforce. Our team is constantly working hard to remain as leading experts that are familiar with every aspect of the marketplace. That is achieved by creating and building teams that are industry-savvy, enthusiastic and always willing to cater for various client requirements."

 

 

Steve Shears has been appointed site search and acquisitions director at Merlin Entertainments, reporting to Nick Mackenzie, managing director of Merlin's Property and Development Group.

Steve has been with Merlin for 10 years - from the original buyout from Vardon - latterly working in the Midway Division managing Merlin's Madame Tussauds eight global sites. 

As a result of this move responsibility for these sites will now be split amongst the company's four Midway Regional Directors. 

Shears has also previously been involved in a number of Merlin's major acquisitions including Gardaland and The Tussauds Group - making him ideally qualified for his new role, with both financial and operational experience. 

 

 

Mark Hopper is to join bedbank Getabed as sales director.

 

Hopper who has over 24 years' experience in the industry will join in November from his current role at Click with technology.

 

Getabed MD Matthew Stuart said Mark would further enhance the Getabed brand within the trade.

 

Hopper commented, " It's a young dynamic company and a great challenge for me increase sales across the growing UK market.