TAW CRUISES THROUGH HAWAII
At last month’s TravelAge West sales meeting, staffers traveled to
Hawaii for a seven-day cruise onboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride
of Aloha. The first island on the ship’s itinerary was Kauai and
after morning meetings, staffers disembarked for surfing at
Kalapaki Beach and a tubing trip with Kauai Backcountry Adventures.
On the Big Island, the group checked out the lava tube and other
sights in Volcanoes National Park.
When the ship stopped on Maui, TAW explored the Upcountry region
with a tour of the Surfing Goat Dairy, a self-walking tour through
the Alii Kula Lavender Farm and a stop at the Holy Ghost Church and
Cemetery. Dinner was at the Hailiimaile General Store, before
heading back to the ship.
Last but not least, the group stopped at the Mandara Spa at
Hilton Hawaiian Village on Oahu for a day of pampering.
KELLY APPOINTED TO NEW POSITION
Hyatt Hotels Corporation appointed Kevin Kelly to the newly created
position of executive director of sales, individual travel for the
U.S., Canada and the Caribbean. The new position will help Hyatt
address the increasing demand in individual travel.
Kelly now oversees individual travel managers at Hyatt hotels
and resorts in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean, focusing on
field education and training, communication for the individual
travel sales managers and Hyatt’s individual travel national sales
directors’ customer relations and development. Prior to joining
Hyatt, Kelly was director of sales and marketing for Omni Chicago
Hotel.
RAIL EUROPE HONOTS VALIJAN
Fabrice Morel, president and CEO of the Rail Europe group recently
awarded Nora Valijan, controller and director of accounting, the
French National Railroads (SNCF) Medal of Honor for her 25 years of
service at the Rail Europe Group.
Rail Europe Group is the largest North American Distributor of
European railpasses and tickets.
BRAINERD NAMED GENERAL MANAGER
Bruce D. Brainerd has been appointed general manager of the Hyatt
Regency La Jolla. The 22-year hospitality industry veteran
previously served as general manager of the Hyatt Regency Newport
Beach where he spearheaded a $10 million renovation.
Brainerd joined Hyatt Hotels corporation in 1989. During the
course of his 17-year career with the company, he spent seven years
in Texas, where he held numerous management positions.
RESORT-QUEST NAMES NEW DIRECTOR
ResortQuest Hawaii has named Robyn Basso, CTC, director of national
accounts and regional sales manager for the Midwest, East Coast and
Eastern Canada. As director of national accounts, Basso’s primary
duties will be to establish and maintain relationships with key
accounts within the travel agency consortia, franchise groups,
cooperative groups and travel marketing organizations.
Previously, Basso held positions at various organizations,
including director of national accounts at the Hawaii Visitors and
Convention Bureau (HVCB).
