Veronique Hubert, chief operating officer and co-owner of the New York City-based teamamerica receptive tour operation, has announced the appointment of a new team member: Laurent Devon Hubert, her baby boy, born on June 4th. Hubert, who also has a daughter who is a freshman at the University of Southern California, tells the Inbound Report that she and the new recruit are doing fine.
U.S.-headquartered Collette has appointed its first ever UK managing director—Carl Burrows, formerly of Explore. The expanded role was created following the departure of UK general manager Peter Traynor who left the business last week. Part of Burrows’ role will be to raise awareness of Collette in the UK market. Christian Leibl-Cote, vice president of service & international business, said the new role had been created to give the UK more autonomy.
Leger Holidays has appointed former Tony Wheble as managing director. Wheble is the former chief executive of James Villas and TV Travel Shop managing director. Wheble joined James Villas as managing director before acquiring the business in a management buyout. He sold the business to Wyndham Worldwide in 2011.For more information, visit http://www.leger.co.uk./
Elaine Moulder has left her post as director of marketing for Sweet Magnolia Tours and launched her own business, Brilliant Adventures, a full service tour operator offering planning and management services for U.S. and Canadian destinations. Before her nearly four years with Sweet Magnolia Tours, Moulder served for more than four years at the Student & Youth Travel Association (SYTA).
Frank Rosenberger has joined Tui Group, where he is responsible for the group’s overall strategy. The 47-year-old will also be a member of the group executive committee. He joins the company from Vodafon. He was previously group technology products and services director with responsibility for the international development of new business areas.
Christian Bärwind, Google’s head of travel in Germany, is leaving the e-commerce giant and will take over as head of online travel group Comvel, which runs the Weg.de and Ferien.de portals, next January. Comvel is owned by TV broadcaster ProSieben SAT 1 group, which aims to expand its tourism activities.
Rainer Perling, a long-time official at DER Touristik, has been named by the company as head of dynamic production and process management for both the package and individual holidays units.
Andreas Lambeck, formerly Alltours‘ head of e-commerce, has joined the FTI Group as head of the travel television firm Sonnenklar TV. He replaces Andreas Eickelkamp who was promoted in June to the FTI group management team with responsibility for Sonnenklar, dynamic operator Big Xtra and several other units.
Florian Werzinger, formerly with Thomas Cook Germany until this spring, has been appointed head of e-commerce for L’Tur, the last-minute holiday specialist.
Travelzoo has announced the appointment of Holger Bartel as global CEO and the appointment of Vivian Hong as president, Asia Pacific effective January 1, 2016, as well as the appointment of Mike Stitt as president, North America effective October 1, 2015. The company’s current CEO, Chris Loughlin, will leave on December 31, 2015 at his own request to pursue other opportunities. Bartel, 48, who is the chairman of Travelzoo’s board of directors since 2010, was CEO from 2008 to 2010. Vivian Hong, 42, joined Travelzoo Asia Pacific in 2011. She currently oversees Travelzoo in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Stitt, 35, joined Travelzoo in 2004. Most recently, Stitt oversaw Travelzoo’s local and entertainment categories and publishing and product planning in North America.
Dawn Airey, former Channel 5 chief executive, has been named senior independent director at Thomas Cook. Airey, who was most recently Yahoo‘s Europe, Middle East and Africa senior vice president, replaces Carl Symon who announced his decision to leave the group in June.
IN MEMORIAM
Carlos M. Tait, director of travel industry sales, Latin America and the Caribbean for the Greater Miami CVB, passed away suddenly on Sept. 30 in Miami. Tait, a well-known and highly respected travel and tourism industry professional, had more than 25 years of experience with American Airlines prior to joining the bureau in 2013. His knowledge and experience in the international arena along with his well-established relationships in Latin America and the Caribbean were extensive and highly admired.
