Amadeus announces the appointment of Laurens Leurink as Senior Vice President, Distribution

Leurink, a former Expedia and Booking.com executive, succeeds Holger Taubmann who steps down for personal reasons

MADRID, SPAIN, 2016-Nov-23 — /Travel PR News/ — Amadeus today announces that Laurens Leurink is appointed Senior Vice President, Distribution, effective January 1, 2017, and will become a member of the company’s Executive Committee.

Leurink joined Amadeus following successful stints at Expedia and Booking.com, and succeeds Holger Taubmann who has led the Distribution business unit since 2011 and is stepping down for personal reasons. His new role will be announced in due course.

Having spent his career working first in finance and latterly in the online travel industry, Leurink brings financial, commercial and strategic acumen as well as deep travel industry knowledge to Amadeus.

At Booking.com, where he was Chief Operating Officer, he was credited with driving a successful expansion outside of the company’s core European market. At Expedia Laurens was President of the Lodging Services Division.

“The distribution world is changing rapidly, presenting exciting new opportunities for us,” said Luis Maroto, President and CEO of Amadeus. “Laurens’ experience with two dynamic and innovative online travel businesses as well as his strong strategic and financial acumen make him the ideal leader to follow Holger Taubmann and continue guiding Amadeus through this changing market and maintaining our industry leadership.”

Taubmann, in addition to leading Amadeus’ Distribution through a strong period of growth also drove the diversification of the business. During his tenure Amadeus has strengthened its position in Corporate IT and Leisure through the acquisition of i:FAO AG and Pyton, among others. In addition, he paved the way into Digital Advertising with the acquisition of Travel Audience.

“I’d like to thank Holger for his excellent contribution over the past five years. Under his strong leadership our Distribution business has grown significantly. He has driven our expansion in markets such as the US and Asia and in key segments such as online travel, improving our competitive position,” Maroto said. “Holger leaves Laurens a vibrant and successful business that is equipped to face the opportunities and challenges it faces.”

SOURCE: Amadeus IT Group SA

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