This month has seen a number of new appointments in the travel industry, so we have wrapped them up in one place so you can get to know your new industry members.
Andre Viljoen departs Fiji Airways for role at Air Mauritius
Fiji Airways has announced that Mr. Andre Viljoen, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, will be stepping down from his role effective October 2025. Mr. Viljoen has accepted the position of CEO at Air Mauritius and will be returning home after a decade of exceptional leadership in Fiji.
Chairman of Fiji Airways, Mr. Nalin Patel, said, “On behalf of the Board and the entire Fiji Airways Group, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Andre for his outstanding leadership over the past 10 years. Under his stewardship, Fiji Airways has undergone a remarkable transformation.”
To ensure continuity, Andre will remain on the Board of Directors after his transition. There is no conflict of interest, as Fiji Airways and Air Mauritius serve different markets. On the contrary, shared aircraft types such as the Airbus A350 and ATR offer exciting opportunities for collaboration in leadership and operational development.
Key Data Dashboard appoints Stuart Stacy to spearhead APAC expansion
Key Data Dashboard, a global leader in real-time short-term rental market intelligence, has appointed Stuart Stacy as Vice President of Business Development for Asia-Pacific (APAC). Based in Queensland, Stuart will lead the company’s growth strategy across the region, with a focus on supporting destination marketing organisations (DMOs), government and enterprise partners through data-driven tourism and lodging insights.
Stuart brings over 25 years of global travel and tourism experience, with leadership roles spanning Australia, APAC, India, the US and EMEA. He has held senior commercial and executive roles at some of the industry’s most recognised companies. He also holds current board and advisory roles, including serving as Growth Advisor to Travel Intelligence Co., a strategic advisory firm for tourism and travel businesses in Australia.
Crowne Plaza Fiji appoints new General Manager
Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa has welcomed award winning hospitality leader Sudhir Yadav as the new General Manager. In this role, Sudhir will oversee all aspects of the resort’s operation, with a focus on delivering exceptional guest experiences.
Sudhir is a seasoned hotelier with over 17 years of experience in the premium hospitality sector under the Marriott International banner and has been recognised for his management, leadership and operational skills.
He most recently served as Cluster General Manager for Melbourne Marriott Hotel Docklands and AC by Marriott Melbourne Southbank, where he launched the AC brand into the Australian market. This appointment marks Sudhir’s return to Fiji after three years, having previously served as the Cluster Hotel Manager at Sheraton Denarau Villas and Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort during renovations and reopening.
Courtney Reagan Joins Baillie Lodges as Chief Commercial Officer
Baillie Lodges is pleased to announce the appointment of Courtney Reagan as Chief Commercial Officer, effective May 19, 2025. In this newly created role, Courtney will lead the integrated sales and marketing teams for Baillie Lodges and Tierra Hotels.
With an extensive background in luxury experiential travel and a career spanning high-end tour operators and boutique properties, Courtney brings a wealth of strategic insight and leadership experience to the group – expertise that will be instrumental in elevating commercial performance and expanding brand presence globally.
Most recently, Courtney was Chief Marketing Officer for Explora Lodges, giving her strong insights into the Chilean market. Before that, she led marketing at Eleven, known for its exceptional adventure lodges. She also has extensive experience with Abercrombie & Kent and previously held multiple roles at Hilton in international partnerships as well as customer loyalty – an area of increasing focus for Baillie Lodges.
Ayana Komodo appoints Jean Philippe Lovotti as General Manager
AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach proudly announces the appointment of Jean Philippe Lovotti as its new General Manager. With over 25 years of global hospitality experience, Mr Lovotti brings deep operational expertise and a track record of leadership in luxury and upscale hotels across Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific.
His appointment marks a strategic move by AYANA Hospitality to further strengthen cross-property collaboration, accelerate sustainability initiatives, and firmly place Komodo National Park on the global map of luxury nature tourism. Mr Lovotti brings extensive experience in these areas, having successfully led multi-property operations, championed eco-conscious renovations, and navigated complex market challenges across diverse international settings.
Prior to joining AYANA Komodo, Mr Lovotti was General Manager of Caravelle Saigon, where he led a transformative multi-phase renovation that modernised the historic property while maintaining full operations. His ability to drive innovation without compromising heritage or service standards resulted in record-high guest satisfaction and financial performance. Earlier in his career, he held senior leadership roles with AccorHotels, Pan Pacific Hotels Group, and the Leading Hotels of the World hospitality group, overseeing flagship properties across Southeast Asia, the Pacific, and Europe.
Adventure World Appoints Sasha McAlister as New Marketing Manager
Adventure World, the leading custom travel specialist renowned for its “Travel with Purpose” ethos, proudly announces the appointment of Sasha McAlister as its new Marketing Manager. Based in the Sydney office, Sasha will report to Liz Glover, Head of Marketing.
Sasha brings a wealth of experience in key marketing areas, including compelling copywriting, engaging content creation, strategic public relations, impactful partnerships, and innovative brand campaigns. In her new role, she is particularly enthusiastic about elevating Adventure World’s partnerships with tourism boards and furthering the company’s collaboration with Animals Asia.
Prior to joining Adventure World, Sasha spent over three and a half years at Contiki, another esteemed brand within The Travel Corporation (TTC). Reflecting on her time at Contiki, Sasha says, “I jumped on board just before Australia’s borders reopened in 2021 and from day one it was go, go, go. From working on legendary campaigns, to building bold brand partnerships and crafting copy across every channel – it was a wild, rewarding ride.
Shannon Fogarty appointed to the National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions Travel Advisory Board
Shannon Fogarty, Global Product Director from the Luxury Travel Collection (LTC)and a distinguished leader in the luxury market, has been selected to join the esteemed National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions Travel Advisory Board as the representative for the Oceania region.
This prestigious appointment recognises her profound understanding of the luxury sector and exceptional expertise with a regional lens, making her an invaluable asset to the board.
Neil Rodgers, Managing Director of Adventure World (Australian GSA for Lindblad Expeditions), expressed his sincere appreciation for Shannon’s commitment and the significant contribution she will bring to the Advisory Board. “Shannon’s comprehensive grasp of the intricacies within the luxury market will make her an exceptional ambassador, particularly for the Oceania. We are incredibly excited about the positive impact she will bring to this role.”
Unforgettable Travel Company appoints Christina Anderson as head of human resources
Unforgettable Travel Company, which includes luxury small-ship cruise operator Unforgettable Croatia, has announced the appointment of Christina Anderson as head of human resources.
In her role, which commenced on Monday, Christina will lead on all HR matters for the company’s operations in the UK, Croatia, Greece, USA, Australia and South Africa, and across all brands including Unforgettable Croatia, which has a small Australian team in Melbourne. Christina will be based in London and report to Graham Carter, co-founder of Unforgettable Travel Company.
Graham said: “As we continue to grow, supporting our team is a top priority. With deep experience in building positive workplace cultures and developing talent, Christina will play a vital role in shaping the future of our company. Her passion for people and strategic mindset aligns perfectly with our values and this appointment marks an exciting step forward in our journey”.
Christina was most recently head of HR at adventure travel company Explore Worldwide and previously associate business partner for people at Heathrow.
