From left to right: Scott Clifton from
Celebrity/Azamara Cruises; Tom Baumann,
president of ProQuest Travel Group; George
Pullen from Celebrity/Azamara Cruises; and
Janet Lanterman, founder of Cruise Specialists
After 20 years of sending travelers on luxury cruises and tours, Cruise Specialists was recently honored by Celebrity and Azamara Cruises as one of their 2008 “Best of the Best” travel agency partners for the western region. The travel agency received the award for their commitment and dedication for sending travelers worldwide via both Celebrity and Azamara Cruises.
Cruise Specialists is currently booking specialty cruises to Asia, South America and Northern Europe year-round.
“We are immensely grateful to our travel agent partners & whose success in 2007 was nothing short of extraordinary,” said Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises senior vice president of sales, Dondra Ritzenthaler.
Flight Centre Family Announces New Leadership Structure
Pelaez
Cathy Pelaez has been named president of Liberty Travel and home office support operations at LibGo Travel, and Dean Smith has been named president of wholesale operations for GoGo Worldwide Vacations. Both companies are part of Flight Centre Limited.
As president of Liberty, Pelaez will continue to oversee the company’s overall results, including sales, marketing and customer service, and will now work to integrate Flight Centre’s business model.
Smith
In his new position, Smith, who most recently ran the Australian branch of Flight Centre, will be primarily responsible for GoGo’s operations within the U.S.
IHg’s New GM
Vermolen
Raymond Vermolen has been appointed general manager for InterContinental Los Angeles Century City where he will oversee the 363-room property. Vermolen has been with InterContinental Hotels Groups since 1995, and was honored with IHG’s “2007 Best of the Best” Executive Assistant Manager of the Year Award. Vermolen brings to the job over 21 years of experience in the hospitality industry and years of international experience.
Rising Star
Coll
Denise Coll has been named president of the North American division of Starwood Hotels & Resorts. Coll will oversee operations, sales and marketing for more than 450 hotels in the U.S., Canada, U.S. Virgin Islands, Bahamas, French Polynesia and British West Indies. Coll was most recently senior vice president of operations for Starwood’s largest operating division.
