Rolf Schafroth, chief executive of Kuoni Group’s Global Travel Services (GTS) has resigned. Schafroth “has decided to explore new opportunities outside of the Kuoni Group,” a company statement said. Advisory board chairman Walter Gehl will lead GTS as executive chairman on an interim basis and will continue further development of GTS as planned, Kuoni added. Schafroth had held various management roles at Kuoni for more than 20 years.
Vicki Varela, managing director of the Utah Office of Tourism, Film and Global Branding, has been named national State Tourism Director of the Year for 2016. The U.S. Travel Association’s National Council of State Tourism Directors—a body representing the tourism offices of all 50 states and U.S. territories—votes on the award annually. Prior to her current role, which she’s had since 2013, Varela’s career included and public service, which notably included an eight-year post as Utah Governor Mike Leavitt’s spokesperson and deputy chief of staff.
Leading UK travel representation company The Greg Evans Consultancy, a leading UK travel representation company, has announced that Mark White will join the consultancy as a director beginning October 1st. A 20-year veteran of the tour and travel industry, White, has for the past 12 years worked within the product and purchasing functions of a number of leading long haul tour operators and wholesalers including Gold Medal Travel Group, Travel Counsellors and Thomas Cook Scheduled Businesses.
Jet2holidays has appointed former Thomas Cook director Andy Cooper as head of regulation, compliance and resilience to help the business prepare for Brexit and the implementation of the EU’s new Package Travel Directive. Cooper has been working for the company as a consultant since May 2015. He was previously director of government and external affairs at Thomas Cook, and before that director general of the UK Federation of Tour Operators.
Tucson, Arizona-based Simpleview has hired Rolf Senstad to be general manager of its new European office in Oslo, Norway. Simpleview works with over 400 DMOs globally and has more than 180 employees in its U.S. offices. The new Oslo office will support the company’s growing customer base in Europe. Previously, Senstad worked with Innovation Norway, establishing technical marketing platforms for destination management offices and regional tourist boards.
SellaTimeshare.com has announced the promotion of Chris Hand to director of membership acquisitions. Based in New Hampshire, he will lead all business development efforts for the company. Hand joined SellaTimeshare.com in 2009 as a customer service representative. He later served as customer service manager. Hand previously worked as a marketing coordinator for InnSeason Resorts.
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n France, FTI Ticketshop has added two new appointments to its sales team: Stéphane Baud for its Rhone Alpes region and the Southeast; and Sarah Amani for Paris and the Ile-de-France region. They both report directly to Lincker Martine, director of sales. Baud has 15 years’ experience in the field of sales, including 11 years with Tui France. Before joining Ticketshop, Amani was marketing manager at the tour operator Rev Vacances.
