Rivas Named Minister of Tourism
Maria Rivas was recently appointed Minister of Tourism to the
Nicaragua Tourism Board (INTUR). As the head of INTUR, Rivas is
responsible for improvements and investment in tourism through
various industry and legislative reforms, as well as an aggressive
marketing and promotional campaign.
Previously, Rivas served as associate director of ProNicaragua, an
investment promotion agency working with the Nicara-
guan government. Rivas succeeds Lucia Salazar de Robelo, who will
spearhead the first rapid transit bus project in Managua,
Nicaragua.
Robutka Moves To Tourism Vancouver
Tourism Vancouver appoints Ryan Robutka as a new manager at Travel
Trade North America. The company focuses on building excellent
relations with meeting planners, travel influencers, travel media
and independent tourists.
Robutka has four years of experience in travel trade and sales
management, as corporate account executive at HCareers and sales
manager at the Metropolitan Hotels, Vancouver Renaissance Hotel
Harbourside and Sheraton Grande Edmonton Hotel.
Raghavan Moves To Millennium
Newly appointed president Sudheer Raghavan brings his expertise to
Millennium Hotels & Resorts, North America, having served as
vice president of Singapore Airlines (SIA) of the eastern United
States and South American region. He formerly supervised the sales
and marketing for SIA’s airport passenger and cargo business in
Illinois. He also took charge of operations at the John F. Kennedy
International Airport in New York and the Chicago/ O’Hare
International Airport.
Changes To Bahamas Ministry
Nassau-native Vernice Walkine has been named director-general of
the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism. Walkine is a 26-year veteran of
the ministry, first joining as a bilingual tourist information
assistant. She is the first woman to hold this position.
In 2001, she was named one of the 100 most powerful women in travel
by Travel Agent magazine.
Succeeding Walkine as deputy director-general is Ellison “Tommy”
Thomp-son, also a 26-year ministry veteran. As head of Bahamas
tourism offices in Europe, Thompson oversaw the growth of European
marketing offices and introduced more airlift to the Bahamas from
Italy and the U.K. In his new position, Thompson plans to expand
the growth of Bahamas tourism and marketing.
Huhn Named Regional Director
AMResorts announces Emilio Huhn as the new regional director of
operations for Dominican Republic. Huhn is a native of Switzerland
and studied at the School of Hotel Management at Cornell
University, New York. He moved to Mexico to become a catering
manager and eventually, was hired to be the executive director at
Hoteles Bahia Principe Clubs & Resorts in Riveiera Maya. In
2003, Emilio Huhn joined AMResorts as the general manager at
Secrets Excellence Punta Cana. He served there for two years until
his recent appointment as a regional director. All in all, Huhn has
had 25 years of international experience in hospitality.
AMResorts, with its three property brands Secrets Resorts &
Spas, Dreams Resorts & Spas and Sunscape Resorts & Spas,
manages 11 resorts in the Dominican Republic and Mexico, offering
the highest level of luxury for couples, families and singles.
