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Eva Damato/Travel Leaders Network

Eva Damato has taken on the role of senior director, luxury lifestyle marketing for Travel Leaders Network. She will be responsible for overall strategy and growth of the Luxury Leaders Alliance, Travel Leaders’ community for top-selling luxury sellers. Additionally, she will serve as an expert resource for luxury-focused suppliers and members and advise the executive team on the latest trends and issues in the luxury travel marketplace. 

Damato joins the team from Seabourn Cruise Line, where she was senior manager of national & strategic accounts, regularly engaging with the Luxury Leaders Alliance at events and providing guidance to members. Before Seabourn, she steered the domestic leisure division at Discover the Palm Beaches and held various roles at the luxury hotel The Breakers Palm Beach.

Amelie Dubois/Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Regent Seven Seas Cruises has promoted Amelie Dubois to the position of director of sales & marketing, Canada. Dubois will lead the sales and marketing strategy for the Canadian market, while bolstering relationships with travel advisors. Her appointment follows the retirement of Beverley Vickers, who formerly held the post. Dubois previously held the title of district sales manager national accounts.

Barry Johnston/Viking

Viking has appointed Barry Johnston as its new director of sales & national accounts, Canada. Johnston brings over 32 years of travel industry experience to the role, including the last eight years working on Viking’s sales team. He’s travelled on 15 Viking voyages including all three Viking products—River, Ocean and Expedition—and is a two-time winner of Viking’s director of business development of the year award. Johnston has worked closely with Viking’s top producing travel advisors.

Anja Brokjans/VoX International

Anja Brokjans has taken on a new role with VoX International Inc. as director public relations.
 
Most recently, Brokjans worked closely with the VoX team as she served as the director of the German National Tourist Office in Canada, which closed its Canadian office on Dec. 31. 
 
“I look forward to leveraging my experience to support VoX’s clients,” she shared. 

Christopher Ashby/Chelsea Hotel

Christopher Ashby has been appointed director of commercial operations at Chelsea Hotel, Toronto. 

He brings over 20 years of sales, marketing and strategic planning experience to the role. Ashby has held senior roles in sales, revenue, communications and marketing for brands such as Shangri-la, Marriott, Sutton Place, Windsor Arms, Four Seasons and Intercontinental.

Stephen Goulding/Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Atlantic has named Stephen Goulding as its Country Manager for Canada. Goulding, who took on the role on Jan. 6, will support the airline’s strategic growth in Canada, most immediately with the launch of its daily service between Toronto and London Heathrow and in connecting markets across the world. Goulding has driven growth and revenue in the travel, tourism, facilities, and technology sectors for more than 25 years and will continue to do so at Virgin Atlantic.

Virgin Atlantic will launch a new direct route between Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and London Heathrow (LHR) beginning March 30, 2025, marking the airline’s expansion in North America and into Canada’s financial hub. Go to www.fly.virgin.com for more.

Kelly Jackson/Destination Toronto

Destination Toronto has appointed Kelly Jackson as vice-president of destination development, effective Jan. 20, 2025. With 20 years of experience in government relations, stakeholder and community engagement, and communications, Jackson joins the organization to help elevate Toronto’s destination experience and drive community engagement with its visitor economy.

Jackson most recently held the position of  vice-president, external affairs and professional learning at Humber Polytechnic, one of Canada’s largest institutions of higher education. Prior to joining Humber, Kelly held numerous roles in the Ontario Government, including Director of Communications to the Minister of Finance, Director of Policy to the Minister of Education, and Senior Policy Advisor to the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities.

Maxine Gundermann/PortsToronto

Maxine Gundermann is joining PortsToronto as director business development. Gundermann is well known in the travel industry, most recently as senior manager, national & strategic accounts at Seabourn and previously worked for Celebrity Cruises for many years.

With an impressive track record of driving revenue growth and building strong professional relationships, PortsToronto says she brings a wealth of expertise in strategic planning, business development, and brand stewardship to her new role.

“I am honoured and super excited to become a part of this dynamic team with such a powerful vision and goals for the future of Toronto!” she shared.

Melissa Harley/Sunwing Vacations

Sunwing Vacations has named Melissa Harley as the new business development manager for Central, Eastern, Northern Ontario and Atlantic Canada. Harley has travel industry experience including most recently as a transaction specialist cruise for TripArc and many years spent as a retail vacation planner. Harley joins the Sunwing Vacations sales team under the management of Dave Wright.

Her extensive knowledge will be a driving force in strengthening Sunwing’s partnerships with the travel advisor community in her territory. With such vast experience, she’s well-equipped to provide agents with the support they need in an industry with so many moving parts.

Kyle Sparkman/Allianz Global Assistance Canada

Kyle Sparkman has been appointed to the position of managing director and head of Allianz in Canada, effective Dec. 1. He brings more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry and has been an executive with Allianz for the past five years. Since joining Allianz in 2019, Sparkman has served as chief operating officer and chief sales officer. Known for his  customer and partner-focused approach, Sparkman has played a pivotal role in revolutionizing  operations with innovative, customer-focused applications, including modernized claims portals  and medical assistance systems.

Throughout the course of his career, Sparkman has been recognized as a dynamic leader with  proven expertise in building and executing business strategies that enable innovation, accelerate business growth and empower team members to reach their full potential. Previously, Sparkman held several leadership and transformation roles with increasing responsibility at Bank of Montreal. Sparkman succeeds Chris Van Kooten who departed the company in October.

Yuka Suzuki/Japan National Tourism Organization

Yuka Suzuki has been appointed the new executive director of the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO). With more than three decades of experience, Suzuki has dedicated much of her career to fostering stronger connections between Japan and Canada, making her uniquely qualified to promote Japan as a premier destination for both business and leisure travellers.

With a proven track record in developing and implementing successful destination marketing strategies, Suzuki deeply understands the Canadian market. Her previous roles with Destination British Columbia (Tokyo Office) and JTB (one of the largest travel agencies in Japan) have provided her with invaluable insights into the evolving Canadian travel landscape.

Joshua Knox/VoX International

VoX International has appointed Joshua Knox to the position of Account Manager, responsible for two accounts: Experience Kissimmee and Broadway Inbound. Knox will work closely with the Canadian travel trade on campaigns, training, marketing, business development and more.

With six years of experience leading a successful Vacation Rental Property Management Company in Mexico, where he managed 100 properties and a team of 30, he brings strong leadership and account management expertise to VoX. His previous role as a business development manager at WestJet Airlines equipped him with skills in client relations, partnership development, sales growth, and strategic marketing.

Michèle Croft/Celebrity Cruises Canada

Celebrity Cruises Canada has appointed Michèle Croft as its new Field Sales Manager – Eastern Ontario and Manitoba. Having grown up immersed in the world of cruising, with her father formerly working in the industry, her love for the brand is in her DNA. For the past decade, she’s been a key support to the Canadian sales team as their marketing manager and is excited to use her experience and brand knowledge to bring fresh growth to her accounts.

Katie Lepage/Celebrity Cruises Canada

Celebrity Cruises Canada has also appointed Katie Lepage to the role of Inside Sales Manager, who brings over 26 years of experience to the role. Lepage began her career in the tourism industry working for a high-end tour operator in Quebec City, specializing in learning travel. She then gained extensive experience traveling for the Quebec City Tourism Office for nearly a decade. She subsequently worked for a local cruise company Croisières AML. More recently, she held the position of business development manager at Groupe Voyages Québec.

Shane Dineen/WestJet Vacations

WestJet Vacations has appointed Shane Dineen as the new Vancouver-based business development manager. In his role, Dineen will be focused on further building and strengthening relationships with trade partners, developing new business opportunities, and providing product training and sales support. With a wealth of experience from his background as a travel advisor, Dineen’s position on the sales team reinforces WestJet Vacations’ commitment to supporting its valued trade partners across Canada.

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