Charles Loop appointed CFO at DHISCO

Charles Loop, an industry distribution veteran has today been appointed CFO at DHISCO, the largest single processor of electronic hotel transactions.

Charles brings more than 20 years of experience at Sabre Corp., a major travel distribution company, including the position of chief financial officer of Sabre Travel Network. His appointment completes DHISCO’s senior leadership team and underscores its investors’ commitment to the company.

“Charles Loop’s vast experience and knowledge of the travel distribution business will help DHISCO and its new leadership team deliver intelligent booking systems that drive our partners’ success,” said Toni Portmann, DHISCO chief executive officer, adding that Loop will be able to “hit the ground running with a focus on profitability, costs, margins and ROI.”

In addition to providing financial oversight, he will play a key role in the company’s strategic product positioning and pricing.

Loop joined Sabre in 1994 as a senior analyst, moving up to vice president of Sabre Travel Network sales and operations. In 2004, he joined Sabre’s Travelocity subsidiary as financial operations controller and led the post-acquisition financial integration of Travelocity Europe and lastminute.com. He was CFO of Travelocity in Europe from 2005 until 2006 and appointed CFO of Sabre Travel Network in 2013.

For more information on DHISCO visit http://www.dhisco.com/

Post copied from: http://ehotelier.com/news/people/2015/04/07/charles-loop-appointed-cfo-at-dhisco/

Arantxa Balson is appointed Chief Human Resources Officer

Arantxa Balson will join Accor as Chief Human Resources Officer. She will be a member of the Group’s Executive Committee and her appointment will be effective as of May 4th 2015.

Evelyne Chabrot, Accor’s current Chief Human Resources Officer, has decided in full agreement with the Group’s senior executives, that after over forty years with Accor, she will now devote her time to personal projects in active retirement. Evelyne Chabrot will accompany this transition to ensure a smooth handover.

Referring to this appointment, Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO of Accor declared: “We have been working with Evelyne and the Executive Committee for several months to prepare this change in our organization. Evelyne has played an essential role in accompanying the Group’s transformation, but I would also especially like to pay tribute to her commitment, integrity, thoughtfulness and unfailing attachment to Accor. I know that this transition will be a very emotional one for her. It will also be charged with emotion for the 170,000 Accor employees who I will represent in honoring her. I am very happy that Arantxa has agreed to join Accor, to take up the torch and continue the work undertaken by the Human Resources teams. Her international experience, knowledge of the challenges facing an increasingly digital world, and enthusiasm, will be essential qualities in ensuring that the transformation of our Group is a complete success”.

Arantxa Balson is Spanish and 50 years old. She has a degree in Educational Psychology from the Universidad de Comillas and an MBA from ICADE’s School of Management and Economic Sciences in Madrid. She also has a postgraduate diploma in Human Resources Management and Social Relations from Université Paris IX Dauphine.

Arantxa Balson started her career in 1994 at France Télécom where she was in charge of international training. In 1998, she joined Lucent Technologies (now Alcatel-Lucent) where she held various positions as Human Resources Director in Western Europe, then in Spain and Portugal. Then she joined Lucent Worldwide Services EMEA as HR Director, a position she combined with another role as HR support for the transformation of the Supply Chain and Corporate Centers in the region. In 2004, she joined Endesa, the leading electricity utility in Spain and Latin America, as Director of Development and HR Innovation.

Ever since 2010, she has been Director of Human Resources at Adeo, Europe’s leading DIY and home improvement retailer. In this capacity, she notably accompanied the digital transformation and equipped the group’s companies with learning and open innovation platforms.

Post copied from: http://ehotelier.com/news/people/2015/04/07/arantxa-balson-is-appointed-chief-human-resources-officer/

Matt Taylor appointed as General Manager Marketing for Choice Hotels Australasia

Choice Hotels Australasia has appointed Matt Taylor as General Manager Marketing following his significant contribution to the company during a period of growth.

Trent Fraser, Choice’s CEO, said Taylor has been integral in leading the strategic marketing direction for Choice Hotels across Australasia, and as a result of his management and marketing initiatives, the company has experienced significant increases in brand awareness, consumer engagement and bottom line growth.

“Matt has done a terrific job in leading the business, achieving strong results and implementing innovative initiatives for our franchisee network over the last few years but especially over the past 12 months,” said Fraser.

Having built a career in retail and tourism, Taylor’s experience has provided a solid foundation for Choice Hotels since he joined in 2012.

In his time at Choice, Taylor has led the implementation of many digital, online and social strategies for the brand.  In 2015, the Choice Hotels’ Marketing team launched the local area marketing kit (LAMkit), a cloud-based platform which allows franchisees to create their own marketing collateral and stationery remotely. The portal then links directly to printers and digital advertising systems to make the process easy for franchisees.

Sponsorship has been a significant focus for Taylor, including establishing partnerships with the PGA of Australia, New Zealand Golf, Australian Cricketers Association, New Zealand Cricket Players Association and charity partners Cystic Fibrosis New Zealand and Kids Under Cover.

Before commencing his role with Choice Hotels, Taylor began his career with PETstock, where over a seven year period he built his way up to General Manager Marketing, before holding positions with Crazy Johns as the National Marketing and Communications Manager and Global Retail Brands as the National Marketing Manager.

Choice Hotels Australasia has more than 270 hotels across Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. For more information go to www.choicehotels.com.au

Post copied from: http://ehotelier.com/news/people/2015/04/08/matt-taylor-appointed-as-general-manager-marketing-for-choice-hotels-australasia/

Hilton Durban today announced the appointment of Chris Van Aswegen as Chief Engineer and according to Markus Fritz, General Manager for the Hilton Durban, Chris will be working on the ongoing refurbishment of the hotel.

Fritz added: “This appointment follows the exciting ongoing refurbishment project that Hilton Durban commenced in January 2014, with phase one being the Lobby and Port Cochere rejuvenation.”

“In 2015 and 2016, we will be seeing a new concept restaurant open in the later part of 2015 and then moving onto the full refurbishment of our 324 guest rooms, including our suites and Presidential Suite.”

Van Aswegen brings both local and international experience to his new role at Hilton Durban. In his former role as the Maintenance Manager at Hilton Windhoek, he was responsible for supervising, controlling and overseeing all room, contracts and projects. Prior to Hilton Windhoek, Van Aswegen has been with the Hilton family since 2011, starting at the Hilton Durban as Assistant Chief Engineer.

For more information go to www.hilton.com.

Post copied from: http://ehotelier.com/news/people/2015/04/02/hilton-durban-appoints-chris-van-aswegen-as-chief-engineer/

Vail Resorts to Acquire Perisher, the Largest Mountain Resort in Australia

Vail Resorts, Inc. today announced that the Company has agreed to acquire its first international mountain resort, Perisher Ski Resort (“Perisher”) in New South Wales, Australia, for total cash consideration of AU$176.6 million (approximately US$136 million), subject to certain adjustments.

Perisher is the largest and most visited ski resort in Australia and is well-positioned with access to the country’s largest cities, including Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra and Brisbane. Perisher is also the largest ski resort in the Southern Hemisphere. The acquisition is expected to close in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 following the satisfaction of certain conditions, including approval by the New South Wales Government under the long-term lease and licence noted below.

The Company is purchasing 100 percent of the stock in the entities that operate Perisher from Murray Publishers Pty Ltd and Transfield Corporate Pty Ltd in Sydney. Perisher holds a long-term lease and licence with the New South Wales Government under the National Parks and Wildlife Act, which expires in 2048 with a 20-year renewal option. The acquisition includes the resort areas known as Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes, Blue Cow and Guthega, along with ski school, lodging, food and beverage, retail/rental and transportation operations, which together comprise Perisher.

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