Riviera, Travel Counsellors, Abta: this week's travel trade people moves

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Riviera, Travel Counsellors, Abta: this week's travel trade people moves

In depth

Harry Kemble

20 November 2024

TTG’s weekly round-up of the latest appointments, promotions, restructurings and farewells from across the trade is the definitive digest of the travel trade people moves you need to know about.

TTG's weekly people moves round-up is published every Wednesday

Moves this week sees Travel Counsellors bring in a new corporate travel manager, while Abta has appointed a familiar face to its board.

Elsewhere, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines has promptly filled a new head of procurement role, while Travelopia’s former head of brand and acquisition has joined Riviera Travel in a like role.

Plus, Celebrity Cruises’ former president is starting a new role at Hornblower Group, which made headlines earlier this year after one of its brands closed, and the Jamaica Tourist Board has named a new business development officer.

So here are the latest major travel trade hires, promotions and job moves over the past week (Wednesday 13 November to Wednesday 20 November).

Have you recently made a new appointment or taken on a new role? Do you have some personnel news for us from your business or organisation? Drop us an email at feedback@flymy.co.uk.

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Travel Counsellors boosts support for 85 Irish-based TCs with new hire

Travel Counsellors Ireland has hired a new corporate travel manager to support 85 Travel Counsellors in the country. Ciara MacConnell brings more than 25 years' industry experience to the role having held other positions within the homeworking giant’s Irish division, headquartered in Mahon, Cork. Prior to becoming corporate travel manager, MacConnell was operations and business development executive. Travel Counsellors has reported significant growth in Ireland, achieving €10 million in corporate travel sales over the past year, a 22% increase on the previous period. Corporate travel business now represents nearly 20% of their total €52 million in Irish sales.

Cruise industry veteran joins Abta board after winning election

Abta has revealed Giles Hawke, Celebrity Cruises’ vice-president and managing director for the UK, Ireland and EMEA, will join its board after winning an election. The trade association confirmed the result of the election last week. The vacant position was contested by Hawke and Paul Ludlow, of Carnival PLC. Abta members voted for Hawke to fill the spot for principal members with a turnover not less than £50 million. He will take up his position on 28 November.

Fred Olsen fills newly created head of procurement position

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines has created a new head of procurement role and appointed Jenna Wallis to fill it. Wallis brings 15 years’ procurement experience to the position which is aimed at driving sustainable growth through strategic procurement. The line also recently appointed Doug Glenwright as guest experience director and Sonia Holman as e-commerce and marketing director. Chief executive Samantha Stimpson said: “These new appointments further strengthen my team and reflect our commitment to continually evolving.”

Riviera Travel recruits Travelopia's former head of brand

Travelopia’s former head of brand and acquisition, Katy Potten, has joined Riviera Travel as head of brand, campaigns and PR, effective immediately. She will be responsible for Riviera’s brand and campaigns strategy and will oversee creative output, including marketing planning, campaign and product launches and content production. She will report into marketing director Sarah Fowler. Prior to Riviera, Potten worked for Merlin Entertainment, easyJet and Tui.

Lisa Lutoff-Perlo reveals new role after Celebrity stint

Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, former Celebrity Cruises president and chief executive, is starting her role as chair of the board at Hornblower Group. The company operates dining and sightseeing cruises, excursions, ferry and transportation services, vessel overhaul and maintenance. In July, the company emerged from a Chapter 11 restructuring with new majority owners and smaller portfolio after closing down American Queen Voyages in February.

Jamaica Tourist Board adds new business development officer to team

The Jamaica Tourist Board has named a new business development officer to cover the south of the country. Sean-Pierre Webster joins the JTB’s business development team following a spell with Midwest USA, where he managed markets including Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Kansas and Missouri. Donovan White, JTB’s tourism director, said Webster’s understanding of Jamaica’s markets “will play a vital role in our growth strategy”.

Singapore Tourism Board names new area director for UK market

Singapore Tourism Board has appointed Marissa Sim as area director, northern and southwestern Europe. She will lead strategic planning, business development initiatives, trade engagement and marketing of Singapore across the countries that fall under her remit. She is responsible for the UK and Irish market. Sim will begin her role on 1 December once she moves to London. As of October 2024, UK visitor numbers rose by more than 26% year-on-year to 486,690 visitors.