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Joyned Appoints Omri Lachman as Managing Director of Growth

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Award-winning Jerusalem-based startup Joyned has today announced the appointment of Omri Lachman as its Managing Director of Growth.

A serial tech entrepreneur and executive with over 15 years of experience in launching and scaling disruptive tech ventures, Omri will lead Joyned into its next phase of growth and further extend its disruptive collaborative booking technology within the travel sector. Lachman’s expertise focuses on business development, strategy development, sales and marketing. He also has hands-on experience in working alongside both consumer (B2C) and business (B2B) audiences.

Lachman has previously served as CEO and co-founder of wireless charging technology startup Humavox, and was co-founder of gamified sports talent discovery platform LEAP. He serves on advisory boards of several Israel-based companies and has served as board member at Joyned since May 2021. 

As part of several leadership teams, Omri has nurtured early stage tech ventures to enable successful public offerings and has also successfully facilitated M&A transactions. His expertise spans across a variety of technological features, namely: semantic search engines, computer vision and image analysis, voice recognition, telecom, cyber security, sports and gaming, wireless electricity, blockchain and Web3. 

Commenting on Lachman’s appointment, Joyned CEO and co-founder Jonathan Abraham, said: “We’re really excited to have Omri join the team as our Managing Director of Growth. We’ve been very impressed with his contributions as a board member and he’s already provided invaluable expertise used in our business modeling, product-elements, business and go-to-market strategies. It felt like a natural progression to boost and enhance his position as we at Joyned are also looking to enhance our impressive growth further.”

Joyned is a SaaS solution for travel websites that enables friends and family to book together, increasing revenue in the process. Founded in 2017 by CEO Jonathan Abraham and CPO Michael Levinson, Joyned has rapidly expanded over the past year and its Gross Booking Value increased by more than ten times between Q2 2022 and Q1 2023. Joyned’s client base now includes travel industry giants Amadeus, RIU Hotels and OYO Vacation Homes. 

Omri Lachman said: “It’s a pleasure and a privilege to become even more involved in the growth and expansion phase of such an innovative company. Over my entrepreneurial journey, I have devoted most attention to companies and entrepreneurs which make their presence known within the market and are changing people’s lives for the better by doing so. Joyned is one of those companies. I look forward to working closer than ever with the team to continue Joyned’s position as the go-to solution and provider of this booking technology within the travel industry.”  

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Dusit Hotels Appoints Managing Director for Its Returning Flagship Bangkok Hotel

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Dusit Hotels Appoints Adrian Rudin as Managing Director for Its Returning Flagship Bangkok Hotel - TOP25HOTELS.comBangkok, Thailand, 26 October 2023 – Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, has appointed Mr Adrian Rudin as Managing Director of two highly anticipated properties in Dusit’s esteemed portfolio – the reimagined flagship Dusit Thani Bangkok hotel and ultra-luxury Dusit Residences.

Currently under development opposite Lumpini Park in the heart of Bangkok, where the iconic original Dusit Thani Bangkok hotel once stood, both properties are integral components of Dusit’s most significant project to date – Dusit Central Park – a visionary mixed-use development that will also encompass a state-of-the-art office tower, a high-end shopping mall, and a sprawling public rooftop park.

Set to make its grand debut in mid-2024, the new Dusit Thani Bangkok represents a contemporary transformation of the original hotel, which first graced the Bangkok skyline in 1970 as the city’s grandest and tallest edifice, famous for housing Bangkok’s most elegant ballroom. As a testament to this storied legacy, the revitalised hotel has been meticulously designed to elevate Dusit’s standing on the world stage while redefining its heritage through a modern lens.

Set over 49 floors and crowned with an iconic golden spire, the new Dusit Thani Bangkok will be a multifaceted destination offering an array of dining, wellness, and event facilities. This includes a breathtaking elevated ballroom affording panoramic views of Lumpini Park. Each of the hotel’s 257 spacious and exquisitely designed guest rooms and suites will also provide captivating vistas of this expansive green oasis in the heart of the city.

Drawing inspiration from Dusit’s unique brand of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality, the neighbouring Dusit Residences is also dedicated to embracing Dusit’s rich legacy, and promises to offer a seamless fusion of luxury, comfort, and convenience for residents when it opens in early 2026.

Mr Rudin, a Swiss national, brings over three decades of experience in leading luxury hotels under renowned banners such as Shangri-La and Kempinski Hotels. Pivotal positions he has held in his career include, amongst others, Hotel Manager of Shangri-La Singapore, General Manager of Traders Hotel in Singapore, and Opening General Manager of Shangri-La properties in Abu Dhabi and Beijing.

Before joining Dusit, he served as General Manager of Sindhorn Bangkok Kempinski and Vice President of Operations for China and Southeast Asia at Kempinski Hotels, where he skillfully managed the operations of 25 Kempinski and NUO Hotels, while providing invaluable support for new ventures.

With his appointment as Managing Director of Dusit Thani Bangkok and Dusit Residences, Mr Rudin will play a crucial role in shaping the success of both new properties, including securing future MICE business ahead of the hotel’s grand opening next year.

“Being entrusted with the stewardship of these prestigious Dusit properties is both a privilege and an honour,” said Mr Rudin. “I look forward to working with our exceptional teams to breathe vibrant life into Dusit’s storied legacy as we curate unparalleled guest experiences, continue to redefine hospitality’s highest standards, and deliver one of the most impressive venues for memorable meetings and events in Bangkok.”

Mr Rudin holds an Advanced Certificate in Hotel Management from SHL (Schweizerische Hotel Fachschule Luzern) and an Executive Education certificate from Cornell Hotel Management School at Cornell University, New York.

About Dusit International
Established in 1948, Dusit International or Dusit Thani Public Company Limited (DUSIT) is a leading hospitality group listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Its operations comprise five distinct yet complementary business units: hotels and resorts, hospitality education, food, property development, and hospitality-related services.

The group’s portfolio of hotels, resorts and luxury villas includes more than 300 properties operating under a total of eight brands (Devarana – Dusit Retreats, Dusit Thani, Dusit Suites, Dusit Collection, dusitD2, Dusit Princess, ASAI Hotels, and Elite Havens) across 19 countries worldwide. The group also operates culinary schools and hospitality colleges in Thailand, plus catering companies for the education sector in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

Dusit International’s diversified investments in real estate development, hospitality-related services, and the food sector are part of its long-term strategy for sustainable growth, which focuses on three key areas: balance, expansion and diversification.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

PATA Honours PATA Chapters and Student Chapters in New Delhi

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PATA Honours PATA Chapters and Student Chapters in New Delhi - TRAVELINDEXNew Delhi, India, October 12, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) honoured the accomplishments of two PATA Chapters and two Student Chapters in New Delhi, India on Saturday, October 7 during the PATA Board Dinner and Awards Presentation hosted by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

PATA Chair Peter Semone said, “The PATA Chapters and Student Chapters willingly volunteer their own time and effort to support the Association’s values and we recognize their importance in creating a responsible and sustainable travel and tourism industry in the Asia Pacific region and beyond through their grassroots activism. These awards celebrate their voluntary efforts, and I would like to personally congratulate all the winners of this year’s awards.”

During the evening, the 2023 PATA Award of Excellence was presented to the PATA India Chapter, and the PATA India CHRIST University Student Chapter. The PATA India Chapter was honoured for their dedication in the development of travel to, from and within the Asia Pacific region over the previous two years in a manner consistent with the aims and objectives of PATA, while the PATA India CHRIST University Student Chapter was recognized for creating opportunities for the development of future young tourism professionals.

Smt V. Vidyavathi, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and Chairperson, PATA India Chapter accepted the award on behalf of the Chapter.

Ms. Shambhavi Singh, Chairperson, PATA India CHRIST University Student Chapter and Ms. Sadhika Saloni Sahoo, Vice Chair, PATA India CHRIST University Student Chapter, accepted the award on behalf of the Student Chapter.

PATA presented the 2023 Spirit of PATA Award to Datuk Musa Hj Yusof, Chairman of the PATA Malaysia Chapter, who received the award on behalf of the Chapter. The Spirit of PATA Award is given to the Chapter that best illustrates the aims and objectives of PATA consistently and progressively over a number of years.

The Best Sustainability Initiative was awarded to the PATA Thailand Bangkok University Student Chapter for their great dedication and contribution in the responsible and sustainable development in the travel and tourism industry. Ms Hnin Wai Wai Khaing, Chairperson, PATA Thailand Bangkok University Student Chapter and Mr. Aung Zwe Wint, Secretary, PATA Thailand Bangkok University Student Chapter, accepted the award on behalf of the Student Chapter.

About PATA
Founded in 1951, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a not-for-profit membership association that acts as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region. The Association provides aligned advocacy, insightful research and innovative events to its member organisations, which includes government, state and city tourism bodies; international airlines and airports; hospitality organisations, and educational institutions, as well as thousands of young tourism professional (YTP) members across the world. The PATA network also embraces the grassroots activism of the PATA Chapters and Student Chapters, who organise numerous travel industry training programmes and business development events across the world. Thousands of travel professionals belong to the 32 local PATA Chapters worldwide, while hundreds of students are members of the 28 PATA Student Chapters globally. The PATAmPOWER platform delivers unrivalled data, forecasts and insights from the PATA Strategic Intelligence Centre to members’ desktops and mobile devices anywhere in the world. PATA’s Head Office has been in Bangkok since 1998. The Association also has an official office in Beijing. Visit www.PATA.org.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

PATA Recognises Industry Professionals in New Delhi

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PATA Recognises Industry Professionals in New Delhi - TRAVELINDEXNew Delhi, India, October 11, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has presented awards to two individuals in recognition for their contributions to the responsible development of travel and tourism in the Asia Pacific region.

The following awards were presented on Saturday, October 7 during the PATA Board Dinner and Awards Presentation hosted by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India: PATA Life Membership and PATA Face of the Future Award.

“The PATA Board Dinner taking place after PATA Travel Mart 2023 is the perfect opportunity to recognise industry professionals that have contributed to the responsible development of the travel and tourism industry. This year’s recipients embody the spirit of collaboration and cooperation that is essential to the success of the industry,” said PATA Chair Peter Semone. “I would like to congratulate the winners for their valuable contributions and also thank them for their continued support to both PATA and the travel and tourism industry.”

The PATA Life Membership was awarded to Ms. Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director, Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), Macao, China. The award is the Association’s highest individual honour and recognises significant leadership and invaluable dedication to PATA.

The 2023 PATA Face of the Future award was presented to Ms Sangeetha Liyanapathirana, Manager – Health, Hygiene and Sustainability at Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts. This award is presented annually to an exceptional ‘rising star’ in the industry, having exhibited initiative and leadership in the advancement of tourism as well as demonstrating a commitment to the sustainable development of the Asia Pacific travel industry in line with PATA’s mission. It is the most prestigious honour for young tourism professional in the Asia Pacific region.

About PATA
Founded in 1951, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a not-for-profit membership association that acts as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region. The Association provides aligned advocacy, insightful research and innovative events to its member organisations, which includes government, state and city tourism bodies; international airlines and airports; hospitality organisations, and educational institutions, as well as thousands of young tourism professional (YTP) members across the world. The PATA network also embraces the grassroots activism of the PATA Chapters and Student Chapters, who organise numerous travel industry training programmes and business development events across the world. Thousands of travel professionals belong to the 32 local PATA Chapters worldwide, while hundreds of students are members of the 28 PATA Student Chapters globally. The PATAmPOWER platform delivers unrivalled data, forecasts and insights from the PATA Strategic Intelligence Centre to members’ desktops and mobile devices anywhere in the world. PATA’s Head Office has been in Bangkok since 1998. The Association also has an official office in Beijing. Visit www.PATA.org.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Weeva’s Cheetham Voted Change Maker of the Year.

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Julie Cheetham, the Co-founder and Managing Director of Weeva and Head of Sustainability at Nianova Advisors, was announced as Change Maker of the Year at the Regenerative Travel Impact Awards hosted on 21 September 2023 alongside Climate Week NYC.

The awards celebrate innovative projects and purpose-led individuals who challenge, disrupt and are committed to solving our planet’s biggest problems through systemic action.

Julie was recognised as “a dedicated leader driving regenerative travel forward. Her resolute commitment reflects her pursuit of lasting industry transformation” by Regenerative Travel.

The awards acknowledged hospitality and tourism’s substantive environmental impact – highlighting its contribution of 11% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions – and its significance to the global economy as a vital enabler to help meet climate goals.

Weeva, a pioneering Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform, with offices in the UK, South Africa and the USA, provides properties and travel businesses with affordable, data-driven sustainability practices that catalyse profound change.

Julie’s leadership not only ensures that Weeva is driving business impact amongst hospitality and tourism organisations, but also nurtures future change agents.

The award is a wonderful accolade to receive as Weeva celebrated its first anniversary on World Tourism Day, 27 September 2023.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

BWH Hotels Appoints Rod Munro Managing Director Operations for Australasia

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BWH Hotels Appoints Rod Munro Managing Director Operations for Australasia - TRAVELINDEXBangkok, Thailand, September 25, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Leading global hotel brand, BWH Hotels has appointed Rod Munro to the role of Managing Director of Operations for Australia and New Zealand. Reporting to Vice President, International Operations for Asia Pacific, Olivier Berrivin, Munro will focus on expanding the brand’s presence in the region and leading a new era of growth and success for BWH Hotels.

Munro brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in hospitality operations and management. Munro will play an invaluable role in leading the Australian team and supporting the growing pipeline of new and existing hotels. He will be relocating from Brisbane to Sydney and will commence his role at BWH Hotels in October.

“I’m delighted to be joining the company during this time of growth for our industry and I’m eager to apply my experience to such a respected global brand,” said Munro. “As the hospitality and tourism industries continue to evolve globally, I look forward to the unique opportunities that BWH Hotels’ growing portfolio will bring to the market. I look forward to further establishing the brand through authentic and personalized hospitality experiences.”

“BWH Hotels Australasia is undergoing rapid growth, and we are excited for Rod to continue this momentum in the region” said Berrivin. “His industry knowledge and background in various operations roles gives him unique insight for this position and the ability to lead this team.”

Munro has a global career spanning over 20 years of hospitality operations experience. He recently served as Vice President of Operations – Australasia for Stamford Hotels & Resorts, where he oversaw seven premium properties with nearly 2,500 rooms and residential assets. Prior to this role, he spent over 15 years with Accor in a variety of operational management positions, including Area General Manager and COO of Hospitality Services for Pullman Bangkok Grande Sukhumvit and Area General Manager and General Manager for Novotel Bangkok Ploenchit.

“While Rod will be overseeing operations in Australia and New Zealand, he brings a global perspective to everything he does,” said Ron Pohl, President of International Operations. “His strategic vision and alignment with our company’s values make him the ideal candidate for this role.”

About BWH Hotels
BWH Hotels is a leading, global hospitality enterprise comprised of three hotel companies, including WorldHotels™, Best Western® Hotels & Resorts and SureStay® Hotels. The global enterprise boasts approximately 4,300 hotels in over 100 countries and territories worldwide*. With 19 brands across every chain scale segment, from economy to luxury, BWH Hotels suits the needs of developers and guests in every market.
*Numbers are approximate, may fluctuate, and include hotels currently in the development pipeline.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

PATA Welcomes Noor Ahmad Hamid as New CEO

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PATA Welcomes Noor Ahmad Hamid as New CEO - TRAVELINDEXBangkok, Thailand, September 19, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Noor Ahmad Hamid as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective October 1, 2023. Noor’s appointment for a three-year term will usher in a new era for PATA as one of the world’s most influential industry associations dedicated to promoting responsible travel and tourism within the Pacific Asia region.

A Malaysian citizen, Noor, 60, has had a distinguished 35 years career in Travel & Tourism, including the last 13 years specialising in the critical Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) sector.

PATA Chairman, Peter Semone, said, “We extend a warm welcome Noor to the PATA family. He is clearly the right person for this job at the right time. His extensive experience in association management, particularly in the trade association sector, and his deep understanding of the Asia Pacific region make him the ideal leader for PATA in this crucial period of change and challenge. The Executive Board unanimously supports Noor’s appointment and looks forward to working with him to build a more resilient, responsible, responsive, sustainable, and stronger travel and tourism industry.”

Mr Semone added, “I am confident that under his leadership and bolstered by the PATA members support, we shall fortify PATA, bestowing enhanced membership benefits and contributing to the emergence of a more resilient, responsible, and sustainable travel and tourism industry throughout the Pacific Asia region.”

Noor commented, “I am deeply humbled by this opportunity and extend my heartfelt gratitude to PATA Chairman and Executive Board for their trust and support. I pay tribute to PATA’s founders and leaders, past and present, and applaud the members for their steadfast support over the years.”

He added, “The Asia-Pacific travel and tourism industry is rebounding faster than anticipated. But this is an era in which crises have become the New Normal. Helping the PATA membership deal with them will be equally as important as helping them capitalise on the many opportunities. I believe PATA’s long history and collective strength makes it well placed to deliver value, stability and sustainability in a rapidly evolving New World Order.”

Noor’s inaugural engagement as CEO will be at the prestigious PATA Travel Mart, scheduled from October 4 to 6 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, India. He looks forward to connecting with host destination officials and members, chapter and youth leaders, exhibitors and buyers, partners, members of the media, and the entire travel and tourism community.
Born in the state of Perak, Malaysia, Noor graduated with a diploma in Tourism Administration from the MARA Technological University (UiTM), Malaysia. In 1984, he joined the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board (now Tourism Malaysia) and served there for more than 16 years in the Public Relations, Marketing, Domestic Promotion and Convention departments. He was also based in its Los Angeles, USA office for four years.

After a brief stint at an events management company specialising in international sporting events, Noor joined a Malaysian government-affiliated company focussing on hospitality and tourism investment.

In 2009, Noor joined the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) as the Regional Director of Asia Pacific where he served for 11 years gaining enormous experience in the nuances of not-for-profit association management. During his tenure, membership in Asia Pacific grew substantially to become the largest regional bloc within ICCA.

In 2019, he was appointed COO of Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) and played a key role in the post-Covid recovery of Malaysia’s business events industry

In 2022, he was inducted into the Events Industry Council Hall of Leaders, the most prestigious award in the global business events industry, the only Asian recipient alongside distinguished professionals from America and Europe In 2018, he received the China MICE Leaders Award from Meetings and Conventions China for his contributions to the Asia Pacific region.

About PATA
Founded in 1951, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a not-for-profit membership association that acts as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region. The Association provides aligned advocacy, insightful research and innovative events to its member organisations, which includes government, state and city tourism bodies; international airlines and airports; hospitality organisations, and educational institutions, as well as thousands of young tourism professional (YTP) members across the world. The PATA network also embraces the grassroots activism of the PATA Chapters and Student Chapters, who organise numerous travel industry training programmes and business development events across the world. Thousands of travel professionals belong to the 32 local PATA Chapters worldwide, while hundreds of students are members of the 28 PATA Student Chapters globally. The PATAmPOWER platform delivers unrivalled data, forecasts and insights from the PATA Strategic Intelligence Centre to members’ desktops and mobile devices anywhere in the world. PATA’s Head Office has been in Bangkok since 1998. The Association also has an official office in Beijing.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Thapanee Kiatphaiboon Began Her Role as New TAT Governor

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Thapanee Kiatphaiboon Began Her Role as New TAT Governor - TRAVELINDEX - VISITTHAILAND.netBangkok, Thailand, September 11, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaiboon today began her role as the new Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Having been with the TAT in 1999 after earning a master’s degree in science from the University of Surrey in the UK, Ms. Thapanee has held various positions within the organisation, including Deputy Governor for Tourism Products and Business, and most recently Deputy Governor for Domestic Marketing.

In her most recent role as TAT Deputy Governor for Domestic Marketing, Ms. Thapanee initiated various tourism initiatives to help drive Thailand’s economy. Among them included the workation in Thailand, faith and religious tourism routes, and solo travels – which helped stimulate 151.45 million domestic trips in 2022 – about 88% of the record year in 2019 – and generated 641.5 billion Baht.

In her role as Deputy Governor for Tourism Products and Business, Ms. Thapanee was recognised for her leadership in initiating the Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration (SHA) certification programme that enabled hotels and services to meet specific health and safety standards. The programme became a mandatory requirement for hotels seeking to register as quarantine facilities during the period of strict COVID-19 control measures and also received global recognition in alignment with the WTTC SafeTravels protocols.

She also initiated the Special Tourist Visa (STV) scheme to promote the reopening of Thailand, which led to subsequent entry schemes, including Villa Quarantine, Yacht Quarantine and Golf Quarantine, as well as the Phuket Sandbox, which has been recognised internationally as the model for the country’s reopening.

Recognised as a social media and technology savvy individual, Ms. Thapanee has played a key role in utilising technology and social media in the promotion and development of Thailand’s tourism. Some of her outstanding achievements in this area have included the Google Street View project in cooperation with Google Thailand, and the ‘Amazing Thailand’ social media platforms.

As an advocate of Thailand’s tourism, Ms. Thapanee has been instrumental in the development of various special interest tourism products, including health and wellness tourism, yacht and cruise tourism, and community tourism, as well as the “King’s Wisdom for Sustainable Tourism” project, which won the PATA Grand Awards 2018 in the category of Education and Training.

In her earlier years with the TAT, Ms. Thapanee was widely recognised for her contribution towards the promotion and development of intra-regional travel within the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS).

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Joyned appoints Sergio Vargas Johansson as Managing Director of Travel

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Joyned appoints Sergio Vargas Johansson as Managing Director of Travel - TRAVELNEWSHUB.comAward-winning Jerusalem-based startup Joyned has today announced the appointment of Sergio Vargas Johansson as its Managing Director of Travel. 

Vargas Johansson will be responsible for the company’s commercial strategy, market expansion and business development within the travel sector. With a wealth of travel and technology experience, he has worked at Amadeus for over 20 years, most recently as VP of Online Travel Companies in EMEA. 

Founded in 2017 by CEO Jonathan Abraham and CPO Michael Levinson, Joyned is a SaaS solution for travel websites that enables friends and family to book together, while increasing revenue for the site. Following a period of significant growth within the company, Vargas Johansson’s appointment signals an exciting new chapter in Joyned’s offering to the travel sector. His expertise will enable Joyned to reshape the travel tech sphere, driven by values that fuel collaboration, empowerment, and growth.

Commenting on Vargas Johansson’s appointment, Joyned CEO and co-founder Jonathan Abraham, said: “We’re delighted to have Sergio join us as our Managing Director of Travel. We’ve witnessed tremendous growth over the past year and we are also signing more agreements with international tourism brands than ever before. Sergio knows exactly what makes the travel tech market tick so his input will be invaluable in making Joyned the de facto social booking tool within the travel sector.”   

Vargas Johansson said: “I’m very pleased to be joining one of the most innovative and best performing travel tech providers in the industry. Joyned’s social booking technology is so compelling and I’ve been monitoring their exemplary progress for some time now. It’s a real privilege to work alongside them to further expand their customer base which will reshape the travel sector.” 

Sergio Vargas Johansson brings a multicultural approach to Joyned having lived in countries across four continents. 

“As Managing Director of Travel, I am committed to expanding Joyned’s key markets within and across much of the Americas, EMEA, Asia Pacific and beyond. We have big plans for Joyned and I’m ready to realize their vision of being the default social commerce solution for OTAs,” he adds. 

The recent appointment comes at a time of buoyancy within the company which also recently appointed a new VP of Marketing, Michael Avni, in addition to six other team members joining in the past quarter alone.    

With a growing team of 25, Joyned aims to implement its Joyned Booking solution across dozens more global tourism brands. Current partners which utilize the Joyned Booking travel add-on include travel technology giant Amadeus, leading destination management company NexusTours, hotel giant RIU Hotels and European vacation home rental company OYO Vacation Homes.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Michael Avni Appointed VP of Marketing at Joyned

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Michael Avni Appointed VP of Marketing at Joyned - TRAVELNEWSHUB.comAward-winning Jerusalem-based startup company Joyned has announced the appointment of Michael Avni as VP of Marketing. Avni will be responsible for the company’s global marketing strategy, including digital activities, demand generation, field marketing, sales development, vertical and product marketing, branding, external and internal communication, and more.

Avni, 49, brings rich management experience and expertise in leading global initiatives in their growth and business development stages within the fields of high tech, internet, fintech, and SaaS, as well as in corporate leadership roles in public companies. Avni began his professional journey at HP and later joined 888 as VP, responsible for identifying business opportunities that led to the company’s business development, expanding its distribution networks, and implementing its growth strategy through acquiring additional companies in the field.

In the last decade, Avni has focused on strategic and marketing consultancy for organizations, startups, and senior management, where he has leveraged his capabilities and professional experience. Collectively, the companies he has consulted have raised over $100 million. Since 2013, alongside his professional activities, Avni has also served as a director for the publicly-traded company Sumoto on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. During his tenure, the company acquired four other companies, one of which, due to his initiative, increased the parent company’s revenues by $50 million annually.

According to Avni, “My main goal is to build deep cooperation between sales, operations, and marketing teams, on which a performance-oriented marketing culture will be established, focusing on customer success, ensuring our success as well.”

Jonathan Abraham, CEO of Joyned, stated, “We are currently signing agreements with international tourism brands to integrate our solution into their booking sites. Michael’s extensive experience and knowledge will help realize the company’s significant business potential, accelerate our business growth, and help us become the de facto standard for international booking sites in a market with an annual volume of $1 trillion.”

Avni’s addition to Joyned adds to a series of recent appointments aimed at supporting the company’s growth and the implementation of its solution with dozens of global tourism brands. Among the recent agreements announced by Joyned: a strategic commercial agreement with online tourism giant Amadeus, a commercial partnership with leading destination management company NexusTours operating in 58 destinations across 16 Caribbean, Central, and North American countries, a commercial agreement with RIU Hotels, and a commercial partnership with European vacation home rental company Vacation Homes OYO.

Joyned’s solution enables social interaction on travel and tourism websites, turning the booking process into a shared experience. During site navigation or app usage, the user sends live chat invitations to friends or family members, during which everyone can view the website content, engage in discussions, and collectively make decisions about booking flights, hotels, jeep tours, excursions, and more. The enhanced process increases user conversion rates and allows the site to increase its overall revenue by an average of 10%.

Joyned was founded by Jonathan Abraham (CEO) and Michael Levinson (Product VP) and employs 25 people, most of whom work at the company’s offices in Jerusalem.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News