(IN SHORT) dnata, a global air and travel services provider, has announced the appointment of Willy Ruf as the Managing Director for Switzerland. In his new role, Willy will be responsible for overseeing dnata’s ground handling and cargo business operations at Geneva Airport (GVA) and Zürich Airport (ZRH) in Switzerland. He will lead a team… Read the full press release
(IN SHORT) KLM has announced its intention to appoint Bas Brouns as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Managing Director, effective April 24, 2024. He will take over from Erik Swelheim, who will step down as KLM’s CFO after serving for 12 years. Bas Brouns, currently the Senior Vice President Corporate Controller at KLM, brings nearly… Read the full press release
Engr. Badr Al-Meer is also announced as a member of the Executive Committee of the Arab Air Carriers’ Organization (AACO) (IN SHORT) Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, the Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways Group, has been elected to the Board of Governors of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). IATA represents approximately 320 airlines worldwide,… Read the full press release
(IN SHORT) Four Seasons Resort Lanai has named Diego Hermelo Vidal as the Spa Director, responsible for overseeing the daily operations of Hawanawana Spa. With 20 years of experience in the spa industry and a background in wellness, Hermelo Vidal brings a wealth of knowledge to his new role. He previously served as Assistant Spa… Read the full press release
(IN SHORT) Southwest Airlines Co. has announced that Lisa Atherton, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bell, a Textron Inc. company, is a candidate to join its Board of Directors. Atherton’s nomination, along with other Board nominees, will be voted on at the company’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders scheduled for May 15, 2024. Lisa Atherton… Read the full press release
(IN SHORT) Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced the retirement of H. Charles “Chuck” Floyd, who currently serves as the Executive Vice President – Global President of Operations. Floyd will step down from his role on December 31, 2023, and transition to a Senior Advisor role to Hyatt’s President and CEO, Mark Hoplamazian, starting January 1,… Read the full press release
(IN SHORT) SITA, a prominent provider of technology solutions for the travel, transport, and mobility sectors, has announced the appointments of two senior vice presidents to its leadership team. Stefan Schaffner, formerly the CEO of Touchless Biometric Systems AG (TBS), has been appointed as Senior Vice President of SITA AT AIRPORTS. In his role, Schaffner… Read the full press release
(IN SHORT) Carina Malmgren Heander, the Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff at SAS, has decided to retire from her position effective February 1, 2024. However, she will continue to serve as a senior advisor to CEO Anko van der Werff until the summer of 2024 to ensure a smooth transition. In light of… Read the full press release
(IN SHORT) Southwest Airlines has unveiled executive leadership changes and organizational realignment aimed at supporting the company’s strategic priorities. The changes include elevating Justin Jones to Executive Vice President Operations, where he will lead efforts related to modernization and daily airline operations. Tony Roach will assume the role of Senior Vice President & Chief Customer… Read the full press release
(IN SHORT) Bangkok-based hotel owner, operator, and investor, Minor Hotels, has appointed Sandie Johannessen as the Group Director of Spa and Wellness – Asia, effective from October 2023. In her new role, Sandie will oversee the spa and wellness operations, development, and brand standards across all of Minor Hotels’ brands in Asia. She will also… Read the full press release
(IN SHORT) Embraer Defense & Security has announced the appointment of José Gustavo as the new Vice President of Sales and Business Development for Europe and Africa. Based in Lisbon, Portugal, he will work under the leadership of Frederico Lemos, CCO of the business unit. José Gustavo brings over 20 years of international experience, including… Read the full press release
(IN SHORT) Airbnb has announced the appointment of Ron Klain as its chief legal officer. Ron Klain, known for his extensive experience in government and business, including serving as White House chief of staff during President Biden’s early years in office, will join Airbnb starting on January 1, 2024. Klain brings a wealth of knowledge… Read the full press release
Move Comes as Company Continues to Expand Global Portfolio (IN SHORT) Ricardo Losada Revol has been named Senior Vice President and General Manager, International, at Choice Hotels. In this role, he will lead the company’s international division and be responsible for driving growth and expanding the global presence of Choice Hotels’ portfolio of brands. Losada… Read the full press release
Thorn Pozen, Mark Uncapher to serve as Chairperson and Vice Chairperson (IN SHORT) The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority’s board of directors has elected Thorn Pozen as its chairperson and Mark Uncapher as vice chairperson for 2024. Additionally, Monica Hargrove has been re-elected as secretary to the Airports Authority. Thorn Pozen, a partner at the law… Read the full press release
(IN SHORT) The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has named Gloria Fluxà, Vice-Chairman and Chief Sustainability Officer of Iberostar Group, as its new Vice-Chair and Chair of the Sustainability Committee, succeeding Darrell Wade, Intrepid Group Co-founder and Chairman. Gloria Fluxà, who has held the position of Vice-Chairman and Chief Sustainability Officer at Iberostar Group… Read the full press release
(IN SHORT) Melissa Cooper has been appointed as the Director of Aviation for the City of Kansas City, making history as the first woman to hold this role in the city’s Aviation Department. With over 25 years of experience in the field, including her role as Deputy Director of Aviation over Properties & Commercial Development… Read the full press release
235-key luxury hotel in heart of downtown Nashville hires Four Seasons veteran Sunil Narang as General Manager to continue long-term momentum (IN SHORT) Four Seasons Hotel Nashville has appointed Sunil Narang as its new General Manager. With over 27 years of experience at Four Seasons, Narang brings a wealth of expertise to the luxury hotel…. Read the full press release
(IN SHORT) Jason Berry, a 28-year veteran in the aviation industry, has been appointed as the President of Horizon Air by its Board of Directors. Berry, who joined Horizon in early 2023 as Senior Vice President of Operations, will be responsible for leading the airline’s strategy, overseeing operations, and engaging with its approximately 3,500 employees…. Read the full press release
20-year luxury hospitality veteran brings proven track record of success and a focus on highly personalized experiences (IN SHORT) Gaman Guadagni, a 20-year luxury hospitality veteran, has been appointed as the new Resort Manager of Four Seasons Resort Nevis. He brings extensive operations experience and a focus on personalized guest experiences to the award-winning Caribbean… Read the full press release
New, upscale leadership set to harness segment growth and take to greater heights (IN SHORT) Choice Hotels International, known for its upscale segment, has continued its growth by opening two Cambria Hotels in October, one in Austin, Texas, and another in Lake Placid, New York. These additions are part of the company’s effort to strengthen… Read the full press release
(IN SHORT) Kelly Grier, the retired Chair and CEO of Ernst & Young LLP U.S., has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Booking Holdings Inc., effective November 6, 2023. She will also join the Board’s Audit Committee. Grier brings extensive leadership experience from her roles at EY, where she served as Chair and… Read the full press release
Doha, Qatar, 2023-Oct-25 — /Travel PR News/ — Qatar Airways Group confirms after 27 years of remarkable service, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive – His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, will be stepping down from his current position as Group Chief Executive effective 5 November 2023, and will be succeeded by Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer… Read the full press release
Casablanca, Morocco, 2023-Oct-20 — /Travel PR News/ — Four Seasons Hotel Casablanca announces the appointment of Emilio Fernandez as the new Executive Chef overseeing banquet functions and the Hotel’s three restaurants: Mint Lobby Lounge, Bleu restaurant and Latitude33. Originally from Mexico, Emilio Fernandez acquired extensive culinary experience in various countries across continents, making his cuisine a one-of-a-kind culinary journey…. Read the full press release
Sydney, Australia, 2023-Oct-20 — /Travel PR News/ — Four Seasons Hotel Sydney announces the appointment of award-winning food and beverage professional Sarath Nair as Beverage Manager, due to commence his role November 2023. Nair will relocate to Sydney, Australia from his native India, and his posting will oversee management of the robust beverage offerings at the Hotel including The Cabana pool-side… Read the full press release
Thomas Woldbye has officially taken over as Heathrow CEO His arrival marks a new chapter for Heathrow that will push innovation in passenger service, sustainability and growth at the airport over the next decade He is spending his first day meeting colleagues across the airport seeing first-hand what goes into making Britain’s hub one… Read the full press release
Sydney, Australia, 2023-Oct-18 — /Travel PR News/ — The Qantas Group is announcing two changes to its senior management team, with the appointment of a Chief People Officer and the resignation of its Loyalty CEO. LOYALTY CEO Ms Wirth has been the CEO of Qantas Loyalty, which encompasses the airline’s 15 million member Frequent Flyer… Read the full press release
New York, NY, 2023-Oct-17 — /Travel PR News/ — Beach Enclave Turks & Caicos, a premier collection of private beachfront villas and residences, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Christian Butler as their General Manager. With an illustrious career spanning over 25 years in the luxury hotel, resort, and food and beverage management industry,… Read the full press release
London, UK, 2023-Oct-15 — /Travel PR News/ — Bristol Airport has appointed Clare Hennessey to the position of Planning & Sustainability Director. Previously working with EDF Energy leading the programme of planning and environmental consents required for the decommissioning of several nuclear power stations. Clare brings a wide experience having worked in a number of… Read the full press release
Stockholm, Sweden, 2023-Oct-12 — /Travel PR News/ — Mads Brandstrup will assume the role of SVP Communications and Public Affairs at SAS, Scandinavia’s largest airline. In this role, he will work closely with CEO Anko van der Werff and oversee SAS’ comprehensive communication initiatives both internally and externally. Mads Brandstrup will report directly to SAS’… Read the full press release
Sydney, Australia, 2023-Oct-12 — /Travel PR News/ — The Qantas Board announces plans for board renewal in recognition of the reputational issues facing the Group and to support restoration of trust in the company. Chairman Richard Goyder will retire prior to the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in late 2024. As announced in May, non-executive director… Read the full press release