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CWT’s RoomIt appoints Jack Staehler as Chief Technology Officer

RoomIt by CWTÒ, the hotel distribution division of Carlson Wagonlit Travel, the leading global travel management company, has appointed Jack Staehler as its new Chief Technology Officer.

Staehler will be based in RoomIt’s Chicago headquarters and join both CWT’s Product & Technology and RoomIt leadership teams.

Staehler has held a number of VP technology roles with Cendant Travel, Orbitz and Sears Holdings, and most recently with RR Donnelly, a global provider of marketing and business communication solutions and services, where he has been leading digital product & software development, investment strategy and process management. Staehler holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Wisconsin.

ChristchurchNZ appoints new GM of Destination and Attraction

The city’s promotion and economic development agency ChristchurchNZ has appointed its new General Manager of Destination and Attraction. Loren Heaphy, who is currently the Special Projects Event Development Manager for Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development, has an extensive background in both destination management and major events. She will start the role in June.

She has held previous roles as General Manager Tourism and Events with Ngati Whatua Orakei, International Marketing and Recruitment Manager for Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology and International Marketing Manager for Nelson Tasman Tourism.

Heaphy is excited about returning to Christchurch, having studied International Relations and Communications and Media at the University of Canterbury.

“There is so much happening in Christchurch that makes it an exciting place to visit and live. The important thing is to make sure that everyone – from residents to other New Zealanders to people living overseas – realise this too,” she said.

Crowne Plaza Queenstown appoints new Head Chef

Queenstown’s premier lakefront hotel, Crowne Plaza Queenstown, has welcomed Chilean-born Alvaro Morales as Head Chef.

With culinary experience from across the globe, Morales is elated to step into the head chef role at threesixty restaurant, following his most recent sous chef position with a global hotel property in Taupo.

Having worked for a number of international hotel chains in South America and Europe, he earlier honed his culinary skills working with renowned chefs Joan Roca and Albert Adrià while interning in three-star Michelin restaurants in Spain. His passion for delivering banquets stems from fond family memories of enjoying huge feasts with his family in the Chilean countryside.

“Food is family, family is life, and life is family,” he said.

Nanuku Auberge Resort Fiji appoints senior Wellness & Yoga Consultant

Adding yet another layer to its overall guest services delivery Nanuku Auberge Resort Fiji has appointed high-profile Yoga specialist Nicci McGrath to the role of Wellness and Yoga consultant.

An Australian national hailing from Queenscliff, Victoria, Ms McGrath has been a yoga instructor since 2001. Resident in Fiji for eight years, she is well known on the Fiji Yoga scene in her capacity as managing director and senior yoga instructor at the Suva Yoga Centre for the last five years.

Prior to that, she was managing director and group fitness instructor at the popular My Fitness Yoga centre, also in Suva.

Welcoming her to the Nanuku Auberge Resort team, GM Sascha Hemmann said Ms McGrath would now take responsibility for all aspects of the resort’s daily complimentary yoga classes as well as private guest instruction as required.

General Manager appointed for iFLY Queenstown, New Zealand’s only indoor skydiving tourism experience

A Queenstown business leader with wide-ranging tourism industry experience has been appointed General Manager of the most exciting new tourism venture to launch in New Zealand this year.

Matt Wong, 40, will bring his strong business and operational management skills to iFLY Indoor Skydiving, New Zealand’s only indoor skydiving wind tunnel and Queenstown’s most exhilarating new adrenalin experience.

Construction of the building housing the $15million wind tunnel in a stunning location in the heart of Queenstown is well underway, with the attraction scheduled to open in mid-winter.

Wong, who starts his new role in early June, said he “can’t wait” to be working on such an exciting and unique adventure tourism activity.

Crowne Plaza Queenstown appoints new FB Manager

Queenstown’s premier lakefront hotel, Crowne Plaza Queenstown, has welcomed Colombian-born Juan Gomez as F&B Manager. His desire to challenge himself and progress his career led him to Queenstown.

Joining InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) in 2012, Gomez has spent the last five years working in InterContinental Wellington’s Lobby Lounge, working his way up from host to supervisor to managerial positions.

His passion for drinks has naturally progressed into a love for exceptional food experiences, and he’s looking forward to being mentored by general manager Anna Edie.

“I’m really inspired by Anna’s comprehensive international hotelier experience and look forward to working under her leadership,” he said.

Asia DMC appoints Exposure Downunder as representation company for Australia

Exposure Downunder is now representing ASIA DMC, winners 2017 World Travel Awards as ‘Asia’s Leading Destination Management Company’ across all destinations including Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand along with Vietnam where the head office is based.

“We are delighted to have Mark Snoxell on board to further grow local understanding of our unique ‘Spirit of Travel’ philosophy to the Australian travel trade,” commented ASIA DMC’s Group Managing Director, Linh Le.

A focus of the coming nine months, Snoxell will be equipping Australian agents with knowledge of the depth of product ASIA DMC and offering both private self-famil options for this year and small luxury group famils for agents early in 2019.