Southwest Airlines Announces Key Organizational Changes to Drive Growth and Innovation

(IN SHORT) Southwest Airlines has announced several strategic initiatives and organizational changes to drive growth and innovation. Key changes include: Ryan Green promoted to Executive VP Commercial Transformation to lead initiatives like assigned seating, reporting to CEO Bob Jordan. New Senior VP & Chief Revenue Officer position created to focus on revenue production, with three… Read the full press release

Travel Nevada bolsters Industry Development team with two new recruits

Travel Nevada’s latest hires bring over 35 years of experience to the organisation and signify significant investment in supporting international tourism marketing. LONDON, UK, 2024-Jul-15 — /Travel PR News/ —The official destination marketing organisation for the state of Nevada, Travel Nevada, has made two significant new hires as they enter a new fiscal year, welcoming… Read the full press release

Southwest Airlines Appoints Rakesh Gangwal to Board of Directors

(IN SHORT) Southwest Airlines has appointed Rakesh Gangwal, co-founder of IndiGo and former CEO of US Airways Group, to its Board of Directors. Gangwal brings extensive airline industry experience, having held key leadership roles at major airlines and technology service providers. His expertise in travel technology and strategic leadership is expected to support Southwest’s growth… Read the full press release

Meghan Trainor Named Godmother of Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas

The GRAMMY-winning artist is revealed as godmother of the newest vacation, and fans have a chance to celebrate with her in concert through an exclusive giveaway, starting Friday, July 5 (IN SHORT) Royal Caribbean International has appointed Meghan Trainor as the godmother of their latest cruise ship, Utopia of the Seas, marking the occasion with… Read the full press release

Minor Hotels Promotes Key Leadership at Koh Samui and Koh Phangan Properties

(IN SHORT) Minor Hotels has announced two key promotions at its properties in Thailand. Ahmed Asim has been appointed as the General Manager of Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villas, moving from his role as Resort Manager at Anantara Riverside Bangkok Hotel. Frederic Kolde takes over as General Manager of Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort, transitioning… Read the full press release

Minor Hotels Appoints Gonzalo Aguilar as CEO for Europe & Americas

(IN SHORT) Minor Hotels, a prominent global hotel owner and operator, has announced the appointment of Gonzalo Aguilar as the CEO for Europe & Americas, effective January 1, 2025. Aguilar, joining from Marriott, brings over three decades of industry expertise and a track record of successful leadership. He will succeed current CEO Ramón Aragonés, who… Read the full press release

Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air Elevate Leadership with Industry Veterans

(IN SHORT) Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air have announced strategic leadership promotions, underscoring their commitment to safety, reliability, and customer experience. Shane Jones, a 20-year industry veteran, has been promoted to senior vice president of fleet, revenue products, and real estate at Alaska Airlines, tasked with overseeing critical investments and strategic partnerships to enhance guest… Read the full press release

Minor Hotels Appoints Lokesh Kumar as Vice President of Development for Middle East Expansion

(IN SHORT) Minor Hotels, a prominent hotel owner and operator with a global portfolio, has named Lokesh Kumar as Vice President of Development for the Middle East. With over 23 years of strategic leadership experience, Lokesh brings a wealth of expertise in managing owner relationships and executing public-private partnerships to drive revenue and optimize costs…. Read the full press release

Oman Air Appoints Con Korfiatis as CEO to Lead Ongoing Transformation

(IN SHORT) His Excellency Eng. Saeed Al Mawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information and Chairman of Oman Air, along with the airline’s Board of Directors, has announced the appointment of Con Korfiatis as the new Chief Executive Officer. With over three decades of experience in the aviation industry, including CEO roles across Asia-Pacific and… Read the full press release

Amadeus Appoints Mark Cullen as Chief Commercial Officer of Cytric, Pioneering Innovation in Corporate Travel

(IN SHORT) Amadeus welcomes Mark Cullen as the Chief Commercial Officer of Cytric, its end-to-end corporate travel and expense solution. Mark, based in Boston, United States, will lead all commercial activities, focusing on expanding Cytric Solutions globally. The appointment highlights Amadeus’ commitment to the corporate travel sector, particularly in collaboration with Microsoft to integrate the… Read the full press release

Culinary Maestro Matteo Re Depaolini Redefines Italian Dining at Four Seasons Beijing’s Mio

Redefining the heart of authentic Italian cuisine through a contemporary culinary perspective (IN SHORT) Matteo Re Depaolini, the newly appointed Chef de Cuisine at Mio, the Italian dining destination within Four Seasons Hotel Beijing, brings a fresh perspective to authentic Italian cuisine, blending tradition with innovation. With over two decades of culinary experience and a… Read the full press release

NH Collection Maldives Havodda Welcomes Marlon Abeyakoon as General Manager

(IN SHORT) Minor Hotels has appointed Marlon Abeyakoon as the General Manager of NH Collection Maldives Havodda, marking the debut of the NH Collection brand in a non-urban destination. With over 25 years of luxury hospitality and rebranding expertise, Abeyakoon brings a wealth of experience from prestigious global brands like Kerzner, Hilton, and Marriott. His… Read the full press release

SAS AB (PUBL) Annual General Meeting: Leadership Continuity and Financial Prudence

(IN SHORT) During the 2024 Annual General Meeting of SAS AB (PUBL) held on March 18, several resolutions were passed, ensuring continuity in leadership and financial responsibility. Carsten Dilling was re-elected as Chairman of the Board, alongside the re-election of key board members. The meeting approved the presented financial statements but decided against distributing dividends… Read the full press release

Estelle Vassallo Appointed General Manager at Anantara Convento di Amalfi: Elevating Luxury Hospitality on the Amalfi Coast

(IN SHORT) Estelle Vassallo assumes the role of General Manager at Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel, bringing two decades of hospitality expertise to the iconic property overlooking Amalfi. With a background spanning esteemed brands across Europe and the United States, Estelle’s leadership, strategic vision, and commitment to sustainability promise to elevate guest experiences at… Read the full press release

Four Seasons Private Residences Bahrain Bay Welcomes Valencia Albuquerque as Director of Residences

Newly appointed Director of Residences will lead a dedicated Four Seasons team for homeowners in the 112-unit development (IN SHORT) Four Seasons Private Residences Bahrain Bay, set to become a premier address in the city, has appointed Valencia Albuquerque as Director of Residences to oversee property management and resident experience. With 17 years of experience… Read the full press release

Felice C. Smith Appointed Vice President and Secretary of Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority

(IN SHORT) The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority board of directors has unanimously approved Felice C. Smith as the new vice president and secretary, effective March 10. Smith, who joined the Authority in 2019 as associate general counsel and ethics officer, brings extensive experience in legal and ethics matters to her new role. She will report… Read the full press release

Emirates Group Elevates 19 Executives, Signifying Strong Emphasis on UAE Talent and Gender Diversity

19 executives promoted, including 8 UAE nationals, demonstrating the bench strength of UAE talent and internally developed talent at the Emirates Group 6 women added to the Group’s senior executive ranks (IN SHORT) The Emirates Group announces the promotion of 19 executives, reflecting its commitment to nurturing UAE talent and fostering gender diversity within its… Read the full press release

Minor Hotels Appoints Ammarawadee Cheowit as General Manager of NH Boat Lagoon Phuket Resort, Thailand’s First NH Hotel Brand in Asia

(IN SHORT) Minor Hotels announces the appointment of Ammarawadee Cheowit as the General Manager of NH Boat Lagoon Phuket Resort, marking a significant milestone as the first NH Hotel brand in Thailand and Asia. With over 13 years of hotel management experience, including leadership roles in various tourist destinations across Thailand, Amma brings a wealth… Read the full press release

Four Seasons Hotel Nashville Enhances Culinary Experience with New Executive Chef and Pastry Chef Appointments

The five-star Hotel welcomes a new Executive Chef and Pastry Chef to continue delivering world-class culinary experiences (IN SHORT) Four Seasons Hotel Nashville elevates its culinary offerings with the appointment of Chef Francesco Greco as Executive Chef and Chef Hector Llompart as Pastry Chef. With extensive international experience, Chef Greco brings his expertise to oversee… Read the full press release

Expedia Group Elevates Long-Time Veterans to Lead New Operating Divisions

Following the succession from Peter Kern to Ariane Gorin, Expedia Group taps two long-time Expedia veterans to lead newly formed operating divisions (IN SHORT) Expedia Group has appointed Alfonso Paredes as President of Private Label Solutions and Greg Schulze as President of Travel Partners and Media, establishing two new operating divisions within the company. With… Read the full press release

Qantas Announces New Board Members and Chairman Elect in Ongoing Renewal

(IN SHORT) Qantas reveals significant changes to its board as part of its continuous renewal process, appointing John Mullen as the Chairman Elect effective July 1, 2024, alongside Dr. Nora Scheinkestel as a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Remuneration Committee starting March 1, 2024. The selection of Mullen, with his extensive executive and directorial… Read the full press release

Kempinski Hotels Enhances Regional Expertise with COO Switch

(IN SHORT) Kempinski Hotels announces a strategic switch of regions for two of its Chief Operations Officers (COOs), aimed at sharing best practices and bolstering regional growth. Xavier Destribats, previously overseeing operations in the Americas, moves to Geneva to take charge of Europe in addition to the Americas, while Timur Sentuerk relocates to Dubai to… Read the full press release

Swedavia Implements Organizational Change, Merges Project Unit with Facilities and Systems

(IN SHORT) Swedavia has announced an organizational change effective July 1st, merging the Project business unit with the Facilities and Systems business unit. This decision follows the retirement of Johan Bill, Director of Projects, who has made significant contributions to Swedavia’s project development at various airports. With this merger, the Facilities and Systems business unit… Read the full press release

Rohit Pandey Appointed General Manager of Anantara Jaipur Hotel: Leading Minor Hotels’ Debut Luxury Property in India

Rohit brings over 20 years of experience to lead the first Anantara in India (IN SHORT) Minor Hotels announces the appointment of Rohit Pandey as General Manager of Anantara Jaipur Hotel, marking the luxury brand’s entry into India. With over two decades of experience in luxury hospitality, including roles at prestigious brands like Marriott International… Read the full press release

Four Seasons Resort Cabo Del Sol Appoints Miguel Baltazar as Executive Chef, Elevating Culinary Excellence in Cabo San Lucas

(IN SHORT) Four Seasons Resort and Residences Cabo San Lucas at Cabo Del Sol proudly announces the appointment of Miguel Baltazar as Executive Chef, bringing over a decade of culinary expertise and a passion for creating masterful dishes to the resort’s dining experiences. Set to open in early 2024 on Mexico’s Baja peninsula, the resort… Read the full press release

dnata Travel Group Appoints Lesley Rollo as CEO, UK, to Lead Seven Prominent Brands

(IN SHORT) dnata Travel Group has named Lesley Rollo as the Chief Executive Officer, UK, responsible for overseeing the operations of the group’s seven UK-based brands. Lesley, who previously served as Managing Director for Travelbag within the dnata Travel Group, brings extensive industry experience to her new role. dnata Travel Group is a division of… Read the full press release

Minor Hotels Appoints Vijay Krishnan-Vazhvelil as VP of Operations to Drive Expansion in India’s Luxury Hospitality Market

(IN SHORT) Minor Hotels has named Vijay Krishnan-Vazhvelil as Vice President – Operations, India, effective from December 21, 2023. In this newly created role, Krishnan-Vazhvelil will play a vital part in Minor Hotels’ expansion efforts in India, particularly in launching the group’s first Anantara property in Jaipur and fostering growth across the country. With over… Read the full press release

Leanne Harwood Appointed to Lead IHG’s Luxury & Lifestyle Americas Division

Company, Industry Veteran to Begin New Role as SVP, Managing Director, Luxury & Lifestyle Americas in March (IN SHORT) IHG Hotels & Resorts has named Leanne Harwood as Senior Vice President (SVP), Managing Director, Luxury & Lifestyle Americas (LLA). Harwood, an industry veteran with nearly 30 years of experience, will oversee the daily operations of… Read the full press release

United Airlines Pilot Capt. Anne Worster Elected as MEC Chair by Air Line Pilots Association

(IN SHORT) The United Airlines Master Executive Council (MEC) of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) has elected Capt. Anne Worster as the new chair of the pilot group. Capt. Worster, a 27-year United Airlines pilot, Gulf War veteran, and U.S. Air Force Academy graduate, currently serves as vice chair and first officer representative… Read the full press release

Boeing Appoints Admiral Kirkland H. Donald as Special Advisor to Enhance Quality Management

Admiral Kirkland Donald to lead in-depth assessment of Boeing commercial quality management system (IN SHORT) Boeing has named Admiral Kirkland H. Donald, U.S. Navy (Ret.), as a special advisor to Boeing’s President and CEO, Dave Calhoun, to assess Boeing’s quality management system for commercial airplanes. Admiral Donald and a team of experts will review quality… Read the full press release