Flavour of the Week

These industry guns are knocking our socks off. Did it help that we left them at the gym this morning? Maybe.
First Hyatt Regency in Bangkok fills two more leadership positions
The general manager of Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit continues to round out his staff ahead of the hotel’s scheduled opening in September.
In recent weeks, Sammy Carolus has appointed Maria Sitanggang Director of Sales & Marketing and Wuthivet Vetchabutsakorn Director of Finance. Both Sitanggang and Vetchabutsakorn have more than 20 years of experience in their respective areas of expertise.
Sitanggang joins Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit after spending seven years at Hyatt Regency Hua Hin & The Barai as its director of sales and marketing. She has also worked for Hyatt properties in Bali.
Vetchabutsakorn’s lengthy resume includes stints with globally recognized leaders in nutrition (Mead Johnson) and pharmaceuticals (P&G) as well as hospitality. Most recently he served Area Director of Finance – Asia for Movenpick Hotels & Resorts.
Amadeus promotes Cyril Tetaz to lead Airlines business in Asia Pacific
Amadeus today announces that Cyril Tetaz has been appointed Executive Vice President, Airlines, Amadeus Asia Pacific, with the responsibility of leading Amadeus’ Airlines business in Asia Pacific (APAC), effective April 2018.
Asia Pacific has been the fastest-growing region for Amadeus’ Airline business unit for the past five years. Today, most of the region’s major airlines use either one of Amadeus’ Passenger Service Systems (Altéa or New Skies), and in 2017 alone, 503 million passengers were boarded in APAC on airlines using either one of those systems.
Reporting to Julia Sattel, Senior Vice President, Airlines, Tetaz will lead the charge in continuing Amadeus Airlines’ growth momentum in the region, supporting and enabling APAC airlines in their ambitions to pursue growth, greater customer-centricity and digital transformation.
Former Concur executive Murray Warner joins Serko as John Challis steps up to global role
Serko Ltd., a leader in online travel booking and expense management for business, today announced that it has appointed former Concur executive Murray Warner to lead its Australasian business, and promoted John Challis to Head of Business Development to focus on global expansion.
This investment in leadership is designed to ensure Serko continues to grow its lead in the Australia and New Zealand markets while further establishing a presence in North America and Europe during 2018.
Warner (pictured) spent more than 15 years with Concur, most recently as Director Business Development Asia Pacific where he led Concur’s partnership distribution strategy across the region. John Challis was instrumental in building Serko’s customer base in Australia and New Zealand over the past decade, and his new role as Head of Business Development will see him take ownership for new market penetration and new partner development.
Scenic announces Discovery Team Leader for Scenic Eclipse
Scenic has announced the appointment of Kara Weller as Head Discovery Team Leader for Scenic Eclipse.
A qualified biologist, Weller holds a Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Wildlife Biology and has spent the past 20 years, educating cruise passengers on the many highlights of Antarctica and the Arctic. Weller has extensive experience working as an expedition leader, naturalist lecturer and Zodiac driver on more than 150 cruises. She joins the Scenic Eclipse team from Silversea Expeditions.
On board Scenic Eclipse, Weller will be responsible for managing the 16 member Discovery Team, facilitating Zodiac and kayak excursions, guiding onshore explorations and hosting on board lectures on the Antarctic and Arctic regions. She will be assisted by a group of highly experienced naturalists, including a marine biologist, glaciologist, historian, orthnologist and geologist, as well as a fisheries and underwater expert, dedicated kayaking guides and Zodiac drivers.
Virgin Australia Group appoints Merren McArthur as CEO of Tigerair Australia
The Virgin Australia Group today announced the appointment of Merren McArthur as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Tigerair Australia, the Group’s wholly owned subsidiary and low cost carrier.
Since joining the Group in 2008, McArthur has held a number of key executive positions within the business, most recently holding the dual role of Group Executive of Virgin Australia Regional Airlines (VARA) and Virgin Australia Cargo.
She will commence in the role of CEO of Tigerair Australia on 7 May 2018. Mark Davey, currently VARA Head of Flight Operations, has been appointed to the role of VARA Executive General Manager. Mark has 30 years’ experience in the airline industry, having held executive level positions across the areas of network, operations and commercial strategy. Group Executive of Virgin Australia Airlines, Rob Sharp, will assume responsibility for Virgin Australia Cargo.
Ovolo Hotels bolsters its team with two key appointments
Award-winning, boutique design-led hotel collection, Ovolo, has created two new roles within its Australian operation including General Manager Brand Experience and Director of Operations Australia.
These two new roles will assist in its rapid expansion of the collection with the recent acquisitions of Inchcolm Brisbane, Hotel Hotel Canberra, and Emporium Brisbane, and to ensure the philosophies of effortless living, happy guests = loyal guests, F.U.N. (Fabulous. Unconventional. Never Boring) and effervescent experience are upheld – Ovolo designs hotels from a traveller’s perspective with smartly spaced interiors full of the latest tech, luxury hotel amenities and fresh fun-loving features.
Amanda Cottome takes on the role of GM Brand Experience alongside her current responsibilities as General Manager of Ovolo 1888. In this role Amanda will take on the strategic brand experience lead for Ovolo Hotels Australia ensuring the delivery on the brand philosophies through both the guest and team experiences.
Kieran Erasmuson (pictured) has been appointed Director of Operations, Australia. Kieran joins Ovolo following more than seven years’ experience at Event Hospitality & Entertainment having worked on a number of developments for their hotel businesses, predominantly working on QT Hotels and Resorts across operations and food & beverage in Australia.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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