Flavour of the Week: TAA elects new NSW chair, Pulse Travel welcomes new ‘Diamond Club’ member + more

Here’s our weekly wrap of all the industry’s latest movers and shakers. It’s even got Travel Weekly staff doing a little jig in the office. 

Tourism Accommodation Australia elects new chair for NSW

One of Sydney’s most experienced and respected hoteliers has been elected unopposed as the new chair of the state’s foremost tourism accommodation body.

Antony Page (pictured above, left), general manager of Sydney Harbour Marriott, nominated for the position at the first meeting of the new Tourism Accommodation Australia (TAA) NSW board on Wednesday.

It is a new era for TAA NSW with a new CEO, chair and board, as well as new multi-million dollar offices in the Sydney CBD, marking a rejuvenation of the association.

TAA NSW and national CEO Michael Johnson (pictured above, right) said: “Antony Page is well respected right across our industry and he will be a great asset to TAA NSW moving forward.

“The new board will benefit from his years of experience and I have full confidence he is the right person to provide direction and leadership in what is an exciting period for both TAA and the sector.”

Commenting on the appointment, Page said: “TAA NSW is the key industry body for accommodation hotels in this state and I am proud to take on the important role of chair.

“It’s an exciting time to lead the association and I look forward to using my years of experience to help move the industry forward.”

Lisa Betts joins Pulse Travel’s ‘Diamond Club’

Pulse Travel’s original ‘Diamond Club’ founder, Stan Klinakis (pictured above, right), has welcomed Lisa Betts (pictured above, middle) as a member for 10 dedicated years of service to the company.

“I couldn’t be prouder to reward Lisa with a diamond,” Klinakis said. “Her loyalty to Pulse Travel is appreciated beyond words.”

Commenting on the accolade, Betts said: “The working lifestyle at Pulse Travel is second to none.

“We are all here in the pursuit of excellence for our clients and, whilst this is paramount, Pulse Travel understands that there is also a need for work/life balance. We all work well as a team and this is a major drawing card for both staff and clients alike.”

Paulse Travel’s Diamond Club was founded in 1989 at the company’s inception, and is designed to show appreciation to staff by gifting them a one carat diamond for every 10 years of service.

To date, the company has seven team members on one carat, three team members on two carats, and one lucky team member has actually received three diamonds.

“Staff satisfaction has, and will always be, a focal point for our business,” Klinakis said.

“We are here not only to build a successful business, but also to have fun along the way. Ensuring our employees are motivated, supported and grow with the Pulse family is something we pride ourselves on.

“When you have happy staff, you have happy clients, and the clients who have been with Pulse Travel since we first opened in 1989 love the fact that their consultant knows who they are and what they like.

“Long-term, repeat clients, being serviced with 24/7 connectivity, coupled with mature, dedicated Pulse Travel team members is a win-win relationship for all.”

Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort welcomes new marine biologist

Amelia Cody (pictured above) has taken up the role of resident marine biologist at Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort.

Cody will be responsible for providing scientific insights on marine ecosystems in the Maldives and what guests curious about the underwater world can discover and do to help while staying with Outrigger.

Prior to joining Outrigger, Cody worked as a marine biologist at a different resort in the north of the Maldives, managing its coral rehabilitation program.