Luisa Mendoza has been named the first global director of tourism development for Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment where she will be responsible for representing and promoting primarily the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets, Barclays Center, NHL’s New York Islanders and more. She leaves her post as senior director, tourism market development, Latin America & USA Hispanic market for New York City & Company after three-and-a-half years with the organization.
Ingo Burmester has been appointed as Thomas Cook’s chief of the UK source market. He takes over from Chris Mottershead. Burmester is currently chief of Thomas Cook’s hotels and resorts business having joined the company in 2017. He’ll also continue in his role as chief of hotels and resorts for the time being. Chris Mottershead will focus on his group-wide role as chief of product and operations.Thomas Cook started its search for a new UK boss in February after Andrew Flintham’s surprise turnaround. Flintham was due to start his new role as managing director on March 1 having left his post at TUI, where he was commercial director, in October last year. But last month TUI named him as its new UK & Ireland managing director, following the departure of Nick Longman.
American Express has chosen one of its veteran executives, Audrey Hendley, as president of American Express Travel. Hendley’s appointment marks her return to American Express Travel where, earlier in her career, she served as vice president of marketing and strategic partnerships. With over two decades at American Express, she has served in multiple executive roles since 1992. Most recently, since 2015 she led American Express’ Global Commercial Payments and Consulting Services group as senior vice president and general manager.
Sven Schikarsky has been named to take over as head of capacity and revenue management at DER Touristik. He will be responsible for capacity planning and revenue management for all six brands: Dertour, ITS, Jahn Reisen, Meiers Weltreisen, ADAC Reisen and Travelix. Schikarsky was formerly with FTI where he had been Managing Director Tour Operating Package since 2015.
Richard Brodrecht, formerly head of flight procurement at Alltours, is moving to FTI to take over revenue and yield management for the main tour operator brand.
Okay Yilderim has been appointed as commercial director for Meeting Point, the group’s destination management company. He was formerly with Anex Tour and previously worked in Turkey and Russia.
Abercrombie & Kent has restructured its trade sales team as current UK sales manager Rachel Healey departs the operator. The role of Healey, who has been with the luxury operator for almost five years, will be geographically split in two to give each of its managers “a stronger focus with agents in their respective regions.” Healey will be taking up a new role in the river cruise sector. A&K has recently announced a new agent area of its website with assets for agents to use including a destination video, images for social media and digital versions of the print 
marketing materials.
DMC Brazil has announced the hiring of Anderson Boareto as new Incentive travel advisor. With 18 years of experience in the Tourism segment, with the last 10 years dedicated to incentive travel, Boareto has worked for companies such as Top Service, Case Imagine and Renase.
Ana Lucia Gama has been appointed by BWT Operadora as a new executive for its Porto Velho unit. Gama has 14 years of experience in the Tourism industry.
