To celebrate Christmas and the final Flavour of the Week edition for 2019, we’re cracking open the eggnog and sprinkling the office with nutmeg, much to the dismay of the cleaners.
Air New Zealand announces director’s resignation
Air New Zealand has advised former-New Zealand Prime Minister Sir John Key (pictured above) will retire from the airline’s board of directors on 3 March 2020.
Chairman Dame Therese Walsh said Key had indicated earlier in the year that 2020 would possibly be his last as a director due to increasing commitments on his professional time in New Zealand and overseas.
Walsh said Key had made a significant contribution to Air New Zealand.
Air New Zealand will advise a replacement director for Walsh in due course.
United Airlines announces two promotions in Australian sales team
United Airlines has announced two promotions in its Australian sales team – Belinda Condon to sales manager, leisure and Tim Wallis to sales manager, corporate.
Condon has an extensive background of more than 16 years in the travel industry. Prior to joining United Airlines four years ago, she worked in both travel management company (TMC) and airline sectors. Condon’s key focus in her new role will be to drive market share and promote revenue growth for United Airlines in the Australia region.
In Wallis’ new role, he will lead United Airlines in the growth of its corporate portfolio in Australia. Wallis joined United Airlines in May 2016 with a background in corporate account acquisition in the Sydney and Melbourne markets. He enters his new role with over six years of sales and account management experience in the corporate travel industry.
No1 Lounges appoints Kite Communications as agency for Australia
Kite Communications has been appointed as public relations agency for No1 Lounges in Australia.
No1 Lounges is a United Kingdom-based premium airport lounge operator, which has launched lounges in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne International Airports over the last 12 months.
The company gives access to airport lounge experiences for business and leisure travellers on a pay-to-enter model.
New hosts at Queenstown Country Lodge
Queenstown Country Lodge has announced the appointment of Jennifer Harper and Mark Samways as its new on-site hosts, beginning 10 January – just in time for the busy summer season.
Both hosts bring with them experience in travel, tourism, hospitality and a passion for Queenstown.
Harper joins Queenstown Country Lodge with experience in wholesale travel and sales, marketing and event management. She has held hotel management positions at the Haast World Heritage Hotel and at the Grand Mercure Puka Park Resort.
Samways’ early career involved running a luxury chalet in the French Alps, and then running a high-end chalet equipment rental business in the Trois Vallee before returning to London, before eventually moving onto Queenstown. He was general manager of Active New Zealand while also establishing Pure Boutique, a luxury tour provider to the Chinese market, in 2012.
Fee free traineeships for cruise workers at TAFE NSW
Australian travel agencies and cruise operators will be able to recruit new staff next year through an enhanced fee-free cruise sector traineeship program.
The program that has been established between TAFE NSW, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia and Apprenticeship Support Australia (ASA). It will support trainees to commence immediate employment in the cruise sector and receive on-the-job training over 12–24 months while completing a Certificate III in Travel (SIT30216).
New trainees will be able to take part in the fee free program, which equips them with the knowledge, key skills and best practice required to “positively contribute” to travel agencies and other businesses within the cruise industry.
Employers may be eligible for payroll tax exemptions and incentive payments of up to $2000, plus additional payments upon completion of the traineeship.
