Hospitality Management Holding (HMH) has announced today the appointment of Ferghal Purcell as its Chief Operating Officer (COO). Purcell, the former Complex General Manager for both The Ajman Palace Hotel and The Coral Beach Resort Sharjah, has over 30 years of regional and international experience in the hospitality industry. H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Faisal Al Qassimi, Chairman & CE, MANAFA LLC, and Vice Chairman, HMH, said: “Our strategic vision lies in striving for growth and exceeding...
HotelsPro appointed a new Regional Vice President for Middle East, Africa and South Asia region. Directly reporting to the Managing Director, Alaeddin Jebrini Erkan will be responsible for the management of HotelsPro Dubai office and all operations in Middle East, Africa and South Asia regions. Mr. Erkan has expertises on various areas such as business development, travel management, tourism management, online travel, team management, strategic planning and international sales. Alaeddin Jebrini...
SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. today announced that Denise Godreau has joined the company as Chief Marketing Officer. Godreau brings extensive industry experience in driving global brand strategy, digital marketing and technology, and revenue generation. “We are looking forward to the leadership and experience Denise brings to our marketing team,” said Joel Manby, President and Chief Executive Officer of SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. “She will be focused on driving increased...
I n an ongoing pay dispute which saw British Airways narrowly avert a Christmas Day strike, Unite union, that represents airline’s cabin crew, announced a 48-hour walkout for later in January. Up to 2,700 cabin crew are due to strike from January 10 after rejecting a deal proposed by the airline in December, the union said. Last month’s offer averted a walkout originally planned for Christmas Day and December 26 (Boxing Day), but 70 percent of Unite members involved in the dispute...
The UK’s vote to leave the EU poses a threat to the European business community, according to new research conducted for RSM by the European Business Awards. The research asked almost 700 of Europe’s successful business leaders their views on Brexit. 41% think that the UK is now a less attractive investment destination and 54% believe Brexit poses a threat, compared to 39% who see it as an opportunity. Which aspect of the Brexit negotiation is most important to European businesses...
Hawaiian Holdings, Inc., the parent company of Hawaiian Airlines, Inc., today announced the return of Donald J. Carty to both companies’ boards of directors effective Friday, December 23, 2016. Carty, a seasoned airline executive, has served on the Hawaiian Holdings board twice before, from July 2004 to February 2007 and again from April 2008 to May 2011. “Don Carty possesses deep experience with and understanding of both the airline industry and publicly traded companies and we are...
In the first quarter of 2017, Wilken Bormann will take over as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lufthansa Hub Munich. In this role, Bormann will be responsible for the commercial management and ongoing development of the second-largest hub of the Lufthansa Group, as well as for operations. He succeeds Thomas Winkelmann, who will be joining Air Berlin on 1 February 2017 as CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board. “I am pleased that we have gained Wilken Bormann, a proven economic specialist and...
Air Canada President and Chief Executive Officer, Calin Rovinescu, today announced the appointment of Lucie Guillemette, previously Senior Vice President, Revenue Optimization, as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer.Ms. Guillemette is based at the airline’s Montreal headquarters, joins the Executive Committee and continues to report to Benjamin Smith, President, Passenger Airlines. “Lucie has continuously demonstrated her drive for excellence throughout her almost...
Airberlin has announced today that Thomas Winkelmann (57) will become the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of airberlin group. Mr. Winkelmann will take over as CEO of Air Berlin PLC from 1 February, 2017, assuming full accountability for all group activities. He will succeed Stefan Pichler, who decided to leave the company after working for two years on the strategic turnaround of the group. Mr. Pichler achieved this by entering into a wet-lease agreement with the Lufthansa Group for 38...
The Lufthansa Group has appointed Heike Birlenbach (50) as the new Senior Vice President Sales Lufthansa Hub Airlines and Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) Hub Frankfurt. She will succeed Jens Bischof, who has been appointed to the position of Managing Director of the airline SunExpress, effective 1 January 2017. SunExpress is a joint venture between Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines. Beginning on 1 January 2017, Heike Birlenbach will take over the global responsibility for world-wide sales for all...
Bargaining between Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC)/Union of Canadian Transportation Employees (UCTE) and the Vancouver Airport Authority have broken off and a Federal Conciliation Officer has been called in to help get a new contract. Key bargaining issues include wage rates, variable hours of work, protections against harassment and bullying, sick leave and medical benefits. “We tabled a fair proposal that reflected the value of the work our members perform at the airport...
Benchmark, a global hospitality company, announces that Karen Di Fulgo has been promoted to Chief People Officer. Greg Champion, Benchmark’s co-president & COO, made the announcement. “I am very pleased to announce Karen’s new promotion,” said Mr. Champion. “She has led her team with great skill, and was instrumental in the highly successful integration of the Benchmark and Gemstone employee teams in our recent merger. Karen is also a terrific champion of our company’s...
Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. announced today that the Boards of Directors of Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. and The Hertz Corporation, have appointed Kathryn V. Marinello as President and Chief Executive Officer effective January 3, 2017. Hertz also announced that John Tague will retire as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Companies on January 2, 2017. Ms. Marinello has been elected to the Boards of Directors of the Companies to replace Mr. Tague in early January. Hertz also announced...
Enterprise Holdings Inc., the largest car rental company in the world, today announced plans to hire nearly 10,000 college graduates into its Management Training Program and more than 2,000 interns into its Management Internship Program worldwide in 2017. Each year, Enterprise hires thousands of college-educated, career-oriented men and women into its renowned Management Training and Management Internship programs – both of which teach employees how to run a business, empower teams and provide...
Simpleview is proud to announce two new additions to their senior leadership team. Cara Frank has been promoted to Vice President of Marketing and Sean Moyle has been named Vice President of Operations. “Both long-term Simpleview employees, Cara and Sean will bring years of hands-on experience and fresh insights to the leadership team,” said Ryan George, Simpleview’s Chief Executive Officer. “Cara’s external interactions and Sean’s internal processes will help align our partners, staff, and...
Just last week US president-elect Donald Trump said he would cut all deals with Iran. Today Boeing and Iran Air announced an agreement today for 80 aircraft that includes 50 737 MAX 8s, 15 777-300ERs and 15 777-9s, valued at $16.6 billion at list prices. Boeing was quick to point out this deal would support 100,000 American jobs. Based on its Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Iran Air announced in June, the contract was reached within the terms of the U.S. Government license issued to Boeing...
Dan Csont will join Delta December 12 as Vice President of Brand Management. In this role Csont will oversee the airline’s product development and customer experience programs, brand design and marketing communications programs. “Dan has a strong track record of combining innovation, brand strategy, strategic marketing communications and analytics to positively address customer needs,” said Tim Mapes, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “Dan’s...
Benchmark, a global hospitality company, has named Jenny Na regional director of finance operations. Ms. Na will be based in Benchmark’s Home Office in The Woodlands, Texas, near Houston. Kirk Jones, chief financial officer, made the announcement. “It is a pleasure to welcome Jenny to Benchmark,” said Mr. Jones. “She brings important experience in hotel financial operations to our company, and is a terrific addition to our Home Office team.” Jenny Na was previously director of finance for...
Mr Eric Hallin General Manager of the Rembrandt was recently elected President of SKÅL International Bangkok. The travel and tourism association’s Bangkok Club recently held an election in light of key changes to the managing executive committee. This year marks the 60th Anniversary of Skal International Bangkok, which was inaugurated on the 28th September 1956. The new executive committee Nov 2016-Nov 2018: 1. President Eric Hallin 2. Vice President ...
Commonwealth Hotels is pleased to announce the appointment of Denise Tempco to the position of area director of operations. A 25-year hospitality industry veteran, Tempco brings experience with both franchise hotels and brand management. As area director of operations, Tempco will provide support and direction to general managers at Commonwealth Hotels’ Ohio, Northern Kentucky and Lexington, Kentucky properties. Her main responsibilities will include driving revenue, improving customer...
United Airlines announced today that the company’s technicians, represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), have voted to ratify a new joint collective bargaining agreement. With today’s announcement, United has reached new agreements with every domestic unionized work group in 2016. “Today’s successful vote is a milestone that marks the beginning of a new, exciting journey for this airline – one where we are working together as an airline that is...
Brand USA, the destination-marketing organization for the United States, has announced the appointment of two new board members and the reappointment of two existing members. The new board appointees join a group of tourism industry leaders each with designated expertise in specific sectors of the travel industry including: hotel accommodations; restaurants; small business or retail or in associations representing that sector; travel distribution; attractions or recreations; state-level tourism...
By an overwhelming margin, Teamster pilots and professional flight engineers at Amerijet ratified a new contract with the airline. There are 85 members in the bargaining unit represented by Local 769 in North Miami, Fla. The four-year agreement includes an initial increase in base wages for Captains and First Officers of more than 55 to 75 percent, with additional yearly wage increases. Seniority and sick leave improvements will take effect with the contract. “This is a proud moment for...
Benchmark, a global hospitality company, has named Anthony Frank director of food & beverage for The Chattanoogan. The hotel is a Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property located in the heart of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Tom Cupo, Benchmark’s regional managing director, made the announcement. “I am very pleased to welcome Anthony back to Benchmark,” said Mr. Cupo. “He brings significant experience within the culinary arts, as well as exceptional guest service and managerial expertise to...
Lobster Experience GmbH & Co. KG – one of the leading luxury hotel representations in the German-speaking markets – appointed Katharina Herbst as a competent and experienced professional at the head of their sales team. In the future, the experienced touristic expert will guide all sales activities of the Leisure and MICE departments and will drive forward the strategic expansion of the Lobster Events department. Katharina Herbst was previously responsible for product management...
Dr. Betty Radier is the Kenya Tourism Board’s new Chief Executive Officer effective December 1, 2016. This follows an extensive search earlier in the year which saw Betty outclass her fellow applicants for this key position. Announcing the appointment, KTB Chairman Mr. Jimi Kariuki said the Board was confident that Dr. Radier had the right qualifications to steer KTB and the country’s tourism sector into great new frontiers. She brings on board vast leaderships skills complemented with...
JacTravel, the UK-based B2B travel wholesaler, has appointed Francesco de Marchis to its board of directors, as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) reporting to Terry Williamson, CEO. Francesco is a highly-qualified IT professional. He has worked for many years in the travel industry heading up the technology departments for some of the leading names including Orbitz and Low Cost Travel. He also led critical Digital Transformation Projects, in particular, at Play.com, embedding business and...
Benchmark, a global hospitality company, has named Patricia E. Berry general manager for the Ames Boston Hotel.
"We are very pleased to have Massimo Bergamini join the NACC team, bringing with him extensive public interest and advocacy expertise"
Aaron Fischer to assist the company and its affiliates in the development and strategic planning of integrated resorts in North America and Asia
