New roles for the industry’s movers and shakers
Yatra.com
Yatra.com has appointed Chakrapani Gollapali as chief business officer, Holidays. A former Microsoft India executive, he will be responsible for the strategic direction, operational execution and the overall business results for the Holidays unit of Yatra. This charter will enable Yatra.com to deliver an integrated organisational approach for product innovation and customer delight across domestic, international and exotic destinations spanning across all its channels – online, contact centres, retail and direct sales.
Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways has announced the appointment of three UAE nationals to executive positions within the airline. Hareb Al Muhairy becomes senior vice president corporate and international affairs; Mohammed Al Bulooki joins Etihad Airways from Abu Dhabi Airports Company to become vice president UAE commercial; and Haitham Al Subaihi becomes vice president UAE sales. Reporting to James Hogan, Al Muhairy will be responsible for external and internal corporate communications, international corporate affairs, media relations, and corporate social responsibility. He will also take a lead role in strengthening relations with key governmental and regulatory bodies worldwide through the work of the international and public affairs team.
In his new role, Al Bulooki will be responsible for UAE Sales, Hala Travel Management (HTM), the destination management company Hala Abu Dhabi, Etihad’s retail operations, Etihad Holidays as well as the airline’s Tourism Research and Partnerships function.
Al Subaihi began his career with Etihad Airways in 2007 as a graduate management trainee. In 2009, he served as business development manager for North America, based in New York, before returning to the UAE to take the role of manager sales – government.
Neerja Bhatia has been appointed to the position of vice president India and Indian Sub-Continent (ISC). She joined Etihad Airways in 2004 as sales manager Western India, shortly after the airline launched its flights to Mumbai, its first Indian destination. She then progressed to become manager for Western and Southern India, before being appointed as general manager, India in 2007.
SriLankan Airlines
SriLankan Airlines has appointed Capt. Suren Ratwatte as the airline’s new chief executive officer, with effect from October 2015. He is an airline pilot with over 30 years of experience in the field whose first appointment was with SriLankan’s predecessor, Air Lanka in 1984. Thereafter, he joined Emirates in 1989, where he held several positions in the company. With over 18,000 flying hours in a number of different types of aircraft, including the Boeing B-777 and Airbus A380, he has been deeply immersed in airline operations for many years. He is a holder of Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and the author of several published works.
Trinidad and Tobago
The Honourable Shamfa Cudjoe has been appointed as Trinidad and Tobago’s new minister of tourism.
Minister Cudjoe first entered the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago as an opposition senator at the start of the 10th Republican Parliament in June 2010. One of Tobago’s leading professionals in the field of International Affairs and Foreign Trade Policy, she has also served as a trade analyst in the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) and represented the island at various consultations and negotiations on regional integration and international trade matters. Her professional experience also includes working as an international trade consultant with the Organisation of the American States (OAS) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in Washington DC, USA. Prior to her appointment to the Cabinet, Minister Cudjoe was employed as the assistant director of the Youth Energised for Success Programme, an initiative of the Division of Finance and Enterprise Development at the THA.
Tourism Toronto
Tourism Toronto has appointed Johanne Bélanger as president and CEO, effective September 1, 2015.
Bélanger was president of Freeman Audio Visual Canada for the past 10 years and, throughout her career, has been a globally recognised leader in exhibitions and events. She also served as chair of Tourism Toronto’s board of directors from 2012 to 2014 and has been a member of the board since 2009. In 2014 she was inducted into the meetings and incentive travel hall of fame and has also served as president of the board of directors for InfoComm International, the trade association representing the professional audio visual and information communications industries worldwide. In 2014, Bélanger received the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) Outstanding Achievement in Industry Leadership Award.
Bombardier
Bombardier has appointed Michel Ouellette as senior vice president – Global 7000 and Global 8000 Programme. Ouellette began his career at Bombardier in 1990 and spent the earlier part of his career in Experimental Engineering and Testing. In 2004, he joined the Challenger aircraft team, where he held increasingly senior roles, including vice president and general manager, Challenger aircraft programmes.
In April 2013, Ouellette served as vice president and general manager, Global Aircraft Programmes and thereafter led the customer services and specialised and amphibious aircraft division.
Bombardier has also appointed Nico Buchholz as senior vice president and chief procurement officer (CPO). In this new position, Buchholz will lead the Bombardier’s supply chain activities and closely manage relations with suppliers across the global value chain. Buchholz will report directly to Alain Bellemare, president and chief executive officer.