Welcome Aboard: New Hires and Promotions for August 21, 2015

Karisma Hotels & Resorts Announces Global Expansion and Key Executive Leadership Promotions

Karisma Hotels & Resorts, an award-winning luxury hotel collection which owns and manages properties across Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe, is pleased to announce its global expansion plans, encompassing a projected growth model to own and operate 30 resorts around the world by 2020. As the company continues to expand worldwide with offices in Miami, Cancún, Belgrade, Bogotá, Mexico City, London, Toronto and Quebec, key executive personnel have been promoted to lead the charge of sales, marketing and operations from a vast global perspective. Within the next year, Karisma Hotels & Resorts will introduce its presence in Argentina, Peru, Chile, Brazil and New York City.

The luxury hotel collection is pleased to announce expanded roles for a handful of dedicated employees who have been with the company for many years – all of whom will shift their efforts from North America initiatives toward a worldwide direction. Formerly the vice president of sales and marketing, Armando Chomat has been promoted to executive vice president, having been with the company since 2007. Taking his place will be the incomparable Rienk de Jong, who has been with Karisma Hotels & Resorts for more than 10 years and formerly managed worldwide sales for the company. Alejandro Perez, who celebrates his seven-year tenure at Karisma, is now placed into the key position of sales manager of groups & niche markets. Rafael Feliz Jr. has been with the company for more than three years and is pleased to accept the role of senior corporate brand manager. As Karisma continues to expand and bolster its digital presence, Nadja Dimitrijevic has been promoted to senior e-commerce manager and Anabel Sanchez to senior marketing manager – both well-deserved after having worked at the company for more than two years.

Wyndham Hotel Group today announced the appointment of Eduardo Cruz del Rio as vice president of operations for Latin America and the Caribbean. Cruz Del Rio will report to Paulo Pena, Wyndham Hotel Group’s president and managing director for the region, and will be based in the company’s Parsippany, New Jersey, headquarters.

With nearly 30 years of hotel industry experience, Cruz del Rio brings to Wyndham Hotel Group an impressive internationally diverse background that includes hospitality-focused positions in Spain, Brazil, Guatemala, Mexico, South Korea and former Yugoslavia. Most recently he served as managing director for The Brick Hotel Buenos Aires, part of the Accor Group, where he spearheaded a successful renovation program. Previously, he was managing director for Caesar Park Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.

Hickory Global Partners Appoints Jody Sherman To Its Partner Care Department

Hickory Global Partners, a travel management services company providing innovative service, distribution and technology to its network of travel agency and supplier partners, announced today that Jody Sherman has joined the company as a new member of the Partner Care team. Sherman’s role is key to Hickory’s agency sales support, service and outreach efforts.
Prior to joining Hickory, Sherman spent three years as director of member support for a vacation club in South Florida. Her strong interpersonal skills and customer service focus led to nearly a 100 percent success rate in addressing or resolving a high number of calls, inquiries and requests.

Earlier in her career, Sherman held several positions as a senior executive assistant and additional roles as a marketing, sales and business development manager in the travel and hospitality industry, including sales management for Interstate Hotels & Resorts, a leading global hotel management company.

Angsana Laguna Phuket Announces The Appointment Of New General Manager Connelly And Hotel Manager Bulut

Angsana Laguna Phuket is delighted to announce the appointment of Brian Connelly as the general manager and Figen Bulut as the hotel manager for Angsana Laguna Phuket, Thailand, the flagship property of Angsana Hotels & Resorts.

Connelly joins Angsana Laguna Phuket with over 35 years of leadership in the hospitality management. Prior to this, he was cluster general manager at Doubletree Resort Phuket, general manager of Oakwood properties in Asia Pacific and held management positions in Hilton, Fairmont and Intercontinental in Asia Pacific and Middle East.

Bulut, as hotel manager for Angsana Laguna Phuket, has more than 20 years of experience in rooms division with many global brands. She will oversee the day-to-day operations of the scenic beachfront resort, including budgeting and financial management as well as front-of-house food & beverage operations.

Andavo Travel Accommodates Rapid Growth Via Addition To Management Team

Host travel agency Andavo Travel has announced a new addition to its management team. Meredith Price has been promoted from leisure travel manager of Andavo’s Southeast Region to leisure operations manager for the entire country.

Price has been a travel advisor since 1974 when, after graduating with a college degree in history, she pursued her passion in exploring the world and helping others discover it as well. In addition to managing her impressive book of luxury travel clients, Price managed a team of 16 leisure travel advisors, and two offices, throughout Alabama.

Kirsten Little will continue to head up the Andavo Travel division of Christopherson Andavo Travel, now honing in on business development and vendor relations in her updated role as general manager.

BARRY KAUFMAN www.travelpulse.com