APPOINTMENTS
Michael Hook/FCM Canada
FCM Travel, the flagship large market business travel division of Flight Centre Travel Group, has announced the appointment of Michael Hook as General Manager of FCM Canada. In his new leadership role, Hook will oversee FCM’s Canadian operations, a strategic growth market for the company.
With more than two decades of sales experience, Hook will play a key role in advancing FCM’s strategy and strengthening its presence across Canada. He brings a strong track record of building relationships, driving growth, and leading high-performing teams.
He has spent the past eight years at FCM, most recently serving as Director of Sales for North America. Prior to joining FCM, Hook held various sales roles and leadership positions with the Toronto Blue Jays and the Toronto Argonauts Football Club. He will serve as a member of FCM’s Americas leadership team and represent FCM on FCTG’s Canadian leadership team.
Susan Lawson/Trevello Travel Group
Brian McLaren/Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel has appointed Brian McLaren as Head of Sales for North America, based in Toronto. McLaren brings more than 20 years of travel industry experience to the role, most recently serving as EVP & General Manager of Flight Centre Canada.
Canada is Intrepid’s fastest-growing market, and the U.S. is on track to become the company’s largest market globally by 2030. McLaren will lead Intrepid’s North American sales team and strategy as the company works to connect more travellers with its small-group, purpose-led adventure trips.
McLaren has spent over two decades across sales, strategy, supplier partnerships, and management, with leadership roles spanning operations and industry relationships. A traveller himself, he has visited more than 45 countries. He joins Intrepid with a strong trade network and a focus on building high-performing teams and sustainable business growth.
Meg Murgatroyd/Heritage Expeditions
Heritage Expeditions has appointed Canadian travel industry veteran Meg Murgatroyd to the role of sales director Americas. Most recently, she worked as head of trade sales in North America for Just You and her experience spans expedition cruising, escorted touring, supplier management and retail travel.
Murgatroyd’s arrival signals the New Zealand-based, family-owned cruise line’s commitment to the North American market. Based in Toronto, she will lead Heritage Expeditions sales strategy, advisor engagement and trade partnerships across Canada and the US – one of Heritage’s most important international growth markets.
Andi Bacho + Julie Golding/Explora Journeys
Explora Journeys has significantly expanded its Canadian team.
Julie Golding has been appointed to the role of Business Relationship Lead, Quebec & Atlantic Canada. She brings more than 27 years of experience in luxury travel sales, business development, and strategic partnerships. She is passionate about supporting travel advisors through strong relationships, practical expertise, and a commitment to helping them grow their business. Most recently Golding served as business development manager at CroisiEurope.
Another new hire is Andi Bacho, Business Relationship Lead, Ontario. Bacho brings a strong background in hospitality, sales, and business development, with a passion for supporting travel advisors. She is focused on building trusted partnerships, delivering meaningful training, and helping advisors grow their luxury travel business. Bacho is well known in the industry through her roles with Playa Hotels and Resorts and Exoticca.
Rounding out the team is Lisa Willey – Business Relationship Lead, Western Canada, who played an integral role in growing the Explora Journeys brand in Canada over the past four years.
With more than 35 years in travel industry business development, she is dedicated to building lasting advisor partnerships and supporting the continued growth of the luxury travel market.
Notably, Patricia Di Benedetto was promoted to Director of Sales, Canada earlier this year after serving as Business Relationship Lead – National & Key Accounts Canada at Explora Journeys. Di Benedetto has more than 20 years of experience in sales, brand development, and retail has been instrumental in growing the Explora Journeys brand in Canada over the past four years. She now leads the national sales strategy, oversees the Canadian sales team, and drives business growth through strategic partnerships.
Carly Biggart/Armstrong Collective
Armstrong Collective, the parent company of luxury train experiences Rocky Mountaineer and Canyon Spirit, is welcoming Carly Biggart as the new Vice President, Global Sales.
In this role, Biggart will lead Armstrong Collective’s global sales organization, shaping its strategic direction, aligning regional sales strategies, driving growth across international markets, strengthening relationships with key travel trade partners, and advancing the company’s commercial objectives.
Based in Toronto, Biggart brings more than 25 years of global experience across sales, strategy, marketing, and operations. She most recently served as General Manager, Americas at Hurtigruten Norway, where she led the business across the region and delivered record growth, including significant year-over-year revenue gains. Prior to this, she held senior leadership roles at Motorola Mobility, where she oversaw national sales, marketing, and operations.
Dima Fahed & Niary Iskander/Transat
Transat has appointed Dima Fahed to the position of Manager of Sales, Ontario and Atlantic Canada. A valued member of the Transat team for the past 19 years, Fahed has built an impressive career across several areas of the organization, including the Customer Contact Centre, Groups Department, and most recently, as Account Manager for the Greater Toronto Area and surrounding markets. Throughout her tenure, she has distinguished herself through her industry expertise, dedication to travel advisors, and ability to foster strong and lasting relationships with partners.
In her new role, Fahed will lead Transat‘s sales efforts across Ontario and Atlantic Canada, working closely with travel agency partners and internal teams to support the company’s commercial objectives and enhance the advisor experience.
In addition, Transat is pleased to announce the appointment of Niary Iskander as Account Manager, Eastern Ontario. Since joining Transat in 2010, Iskander has held a variety of roles across the organization. She began her career in the Customer Contact Centre before moving into several commercial positions, most recently serving as Groups Sales Coordinator. Over the years, she has developed a strong reputation for her professionalism, dedication, and commitment to supporting both travel advisors and industry partners.
In her new role, she will be responsible for managing and growing relationships with travel agency partners across Eastern Ontario, helping to support Transat‘s commercial objectives and strengthen the company’s presence in this important market.
Taimur Mansour/The Israel Ministry of Tourism
The Israel Ministry of Tourism (IMOT) named Taimur Mansour to the role of Consul, Director of Tourism for Canada, based in Toronto, effective August 2026.
In his new role, Mansour will direct the Ministry of Tourism’s initiatives to expand travel from the Canadian market to Israel. His mandate includes building strategic collaborations with the local travel industry, tour operators, media, and airlines, as well as managing roadshows, targeted marketing campaigns, and content projects designed to connect Canadians with the authentic Israeli experience.
Sam Youssef/H.I.S. Canada Travel
Sam Youssef has been promoted to executive vice president, marketing & partnerships for H.I.S. Canada Travel, the parent company for travelbrands and redtag.ca.
Youssef has been with the company for over a decade, most recently as Senior Vice President, Marketing & Partnerships. He has extensive industry experience at Sunwing, SellOffVacations.com and Sun Holidays.
Kateryna Havrylova/Ensemble
Ensemble has named Kateryna Havrylova as its new Director of Destinations and Tourism Boards — a newly created role designed to strengthen relationships with destination marketing organizations and tourism boards around the world while creating expanded opportunities for member engagement, education and business growth.
Havrylova’s appointment is effective July 6, and she will lead Ensemble’s strategy and relationships within the destination sector, working closely with tourism boards and destination partners to develop enhanced training programs, marketing initiatives, member events and immersive experiences that help advisors deepen their destination expertise and better serve their clients.
Havrylova joins Ensemble from Collette, where she most recently served as Partnerships Marketing Manager, overseeing strategic marketing initiatives and partner engagement programs.
Prior to Collette, she held a series of partnership, sales and marketing roles across the travel industry with Abercrombie & Kent, The Travel Corporation, Insight Vacations and Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts.
Christopher Jeffrey-Racine/AIC Hotel Group
AIC Hotel Group has named Christopher Jeffrey-Racine as Business Development Manager for Québec. The appointment of Jeffrey-Racine reinforces reinforcing the company’s continued commitment to the Canadian travel advisor community.
In his new role, Jeffrey-Racine will work closely with travel advisors across Québec, providing sales support, training and business development opportunities while promoting AIC Hotel Group’s advisor resources, including the Amplified Rewards program and direct booking platform.
He brings over 15 years of experience across the travel industry, beginning his career with Transat, before joining Royal Caribbean, building expertise across the hotel and cruise sectors.
Most recently, he worked with Playa Hotels & Resorts, where he focused on developing strategic partnerships with travel advisors and driving business growth. His work earned him the Momentum Award for the highest sales growth in North America, recognizing his ability to drive sales performance, build lasting advisor relationships and identify market opportunities.
Nadia Granata, Lindsay Watkinson, Rares Dumitru/Flair Vacations
Flair Vacations has unveiled some key appointments ahead of its fall launch. The company has announced that Lindsay Watkinson has been named Director of Commercial Operations; Nadia Granata has been appointed Director of Marketing; and Rares Dumitru has been named Director of Business Development & Partnerships.
The appointments mark an important milestone as the company prepares to enter Canada’s vacation market.
Bringing more than 50 years of combined travel industry experience, Watkinson, Granata and Dumitru round out the Flair Vacations leadership team. Watkinson joined Flair Vacations in June as Director of Commercial Operations after nearly 19 years at Transat, where she most recently served as Sales Manager for Ontario, Atlantic Canada and Western Canada. Throughout her career, she has built strong relationships with travel advisors across the country while helping drive commercial performance and distribution growth.
Granata brings more than 15 years of travel marketing experience, most recently as a Senior Marketing Manager with SellOffVacations and Sunwing Travel Group. Her background includes supplier partnerships, brand strategy, digital marketing and national campaigns, with previous roles at Park’N Fly and itravel2000.
Dumitru brings more than 15 years of experience in travel sales and partnerships, most recently at Goway Travel and has held senior roles with Rail Europe, Kensington Tours, and Trafalgar Tours, building relationships with travel advisors and industry partners across Canada.
Todd Lindey/WestJet
WestJet has named Todd Lindey as Director, Sales. Lindey will report to Amanda Ierfino, Vice President, Sales & Cargo, and he will lead the Corporate, Agency, Specialty and International Sales teams, along with Sales Operations & Performance and Sales Planning & Governance.
Lindey brings more than 15 years of aviation and commercial experience to the role. He joined WestJet in 2010 at the Kitchener airport before moving to the commercial side of the business two years later. Since then, he has held progressively senior roles across marketing and sales, most recently as Senior Manager, Global Sales.
Over the course of his career at WestJet, Lindey has helped shape several key commercial milestones. In 2017, he led the successful launch of WestJet Biz, the airline’s online corporate booking platform. He also played a key role in WestJet’s international sales expansion within the travel trade, building the airline’s presence across Japan, South Korea, several European markets and, most recently, South America.
Jessica Smid/Envoyage Canada
Envoyage Canada has announced the appointment of Jessica Smid as Business Development Manager, adding further industry expertise and relationship-building experience to its national sales team.
Smid joins Envoyage from TravelBrands, where she most recently served as a Business Development Manager. Having previously worked as an independent travel advisor, she brings a unique perspective to the role, with firsthand experience of the advisor journey combined with years of supporting travel professionals across Canada.
In her new role, Smid will focus on building relationships with experienced travel advisors across Canada, helping them discover the benefits of joining the Envoyage network and supporting the continued growth of the community.
Cindy Schlansky/First in Service
Industry veteran Cindy Schlansky has been named its President, North America by First in Service Travel LTD (F1S).
Schlansky will lead North American business strategy and operations in her new role, including the expansion and enhancement of advisor support services, operational process improvement, advancing technology initiatives and staff development.
Schlansky brings decades of travel industry experience and an operations-first approach, having progressed from entry-level roles — filing brochures and delivering tickets — to leadership positions across storefront, regional and agency environments. She spent 26 years with Tzell and Global Travel Collection, rising to SVP of Operations and then Co‑President, where she embraced and further refined the independent advisor model.
After a brief retirement in early 2025, Schlansky returned to the industry as an executive advisor with First in Service and quickly transitioned into a senior operational role. Her primary focus is building exceptional support for independent advisors (ICs), developing support staff and future leaders, and creating efficient processes and procedures to improve service delivery. At F1S, she works closely with country leaders and with the technology team on enhancements, new products and operational opportunities.
Justin Clarey/Envoyage Canada
Envoyage Canada has named Justin Clarey as Member Support Leader, bringing a familiar face and trusted industry relationship to the role of supporting advisors across the network.
Clarey joins Envoyage from Transat Holidays, where he most recently served as an Account Manager. Prior to moving into supplier sales, he worked as an independent travel advisor, giving him firsthand insight into the opportunities and challenges that come with building a successful travel business.
As Member Support Leader, Clarey will oversee Envoyage Canada’s Operations team, leading the day-to-day member support, operational systems and processes, and the delivery of key advisor events.
He will also sit on the Canadian Leadership Team, helping shape the overall member experience across the network.
Tara Powadiuk/Kensington
Kensington has appointed Tara Powadiuk as its new SVP, Marketing. Powadiuk is a seasoned global marketing executive with more than 25 years of experience driving brand growth, digital transformation and customer engagement, and she will lead Kensington’s global marketing strategy as the company continues its rapid expansion across the luxury and ultra-luxury travel markets.
Powadiuk joins Kensington during a period of significant momentum for the company. Over the past year, Kensington has expanded its portfolio of personalized travel experiences while introducing new offerings that reflect the evolving expectations of affluent travellers seeking deeper, more meaningful journeys and more options for travel based on their trip needs.
Powadiuk brings more than two decades of leadership experience spanning marketing, product development and digital transformation across the technology, government and luxury automotive sectors.
In her new role, Powadiuk will oversee global brand strategy, integrated marketing, digital marketing, customer retention and acquisition, partnerships, marketing innovation, and agent sales working with the outside sales team helping further strengthen Kensington’s position as the premier provider of personalized luxury travel experiences.
Elvi Cal/Snowbird Advisor
Elvi Cal is joining the Snowbird Advisor team, taking on the role of Director of Travel Partnerships in a consulting capacity.
Cal, a travel industry veteran, will be overseeing partnerships with DMOs, Tourist Boards, Airlines, Cruise Lines, Tour Operators and other providers who want to reach the rapidly growing Canadian snowbird market.
The Canadian snowbird market, estimated at over 1 million and growing, is seeing an influx of younger snowbirds as many Canadians continue to work remotely and ease into retirement, finding ways to spend part — or all — of the winter in warmer climates around the world.
A growing segment of snowbirds are also changing their travel habits, choosing to go beyond North America for their winter escapes – or visiting more than one destination for an extended stay during the winter months.
Cal spent the last 38 years with travelbrands, and related companies, most recently as Senior Vice President Product and Commercial, spearheading the Product and Commercial teams driving growth, profitability and building strategic partnerships with their tourist board and hotel partners.
Meaghan Ferrigno/Destination Canada
Destination Canada’s President and CEO, Marsha Walden is retiring, following a tenure with the organization that saw her guide it through some of the most challenging periods in the history of the Canadian tourism industry. Walden is embarking on a new chapter in her life, with her agenda focusing on family, friends and fun.
Walden led Destination Canada and its partners in a bold and inspired path forward through recovery, ultimately positioning Canada’s visitor economy for greater resilience, improved competitiveness, and the record-breaking growth our sector is now experiencing.
Destination Canada’s Board of Directors announced that Meaghan Ferrigno has been appointed Interim President and CEO, since July 1, 2026.
As Destination Canada’s Chief Financial Officer and Chief Data & Analytics Officer, Ferrigno is an accomplished executive leader who will provide continuity as the organization continues working with partners to strengthen our sector’s global competitiveness and build local economies across Canada.
Anko Van der Werff/Air Canada
Air Canada has announced that Anko Van der Werff will become its next President and Chief Executive Officer, and a member of the Board, by the end of January 2027. Van der Werff, currently President and Chief Executive Officer at Scandinavian Airlines, succeeds Michael Rousseau, who previously announced his retirement after 19 years with Air Canada.
The selection of Van der Werff follows a comprehensive global search for the best person to lead Air Canada into the future. The search considered a number of performance criteria, including the ability to communicate in French.
Rousseau’s retirement is effective Aug. 31, 2026. He will continue to be available as needed throughout the transition. Following his departure and for the duration of the transition period, the Executive Committee will report to the Board of Directors.
Joe Scardigno/Envoyage Canada
Joe Scardigno has been named National Sales Director, Envoyage Canada. He brings over 16 years of experience in the North American travel industry, with extensive expertise in sales leadership, business development, advisor engagement, and strategic partnerships. Throughout his career, he has built strong relationships across the travel advisor community, helping agencies and industry partners achieve sustainable growth.
Most recently, Scardigno served as National Account Manager for Tauck Canada, where he played a key role in expanding the company’s Canadian business. Prior to that, he spent seven years with Kensington Tours, most recently as Sales Director, leading the Europe division and driving sales performance across key markets.
His appointment reflects Envoyage Canada’s continued investment in strengthening its leadership team and supporting the long-term growth of its network of travel advisors and agency owners. In his new role, Scardigno will lead Envoyage Canada’s national sales strategy, with a focus on advisor and agency recruitment, retention, and business growth.
Jennifer Zammit/Swan Hellenic
Swan Hellenic has strengthened its commercial leadership across the Americas with three senior appointments to accelerate growth through the travel trade as the cultural expedition cruise line continues its international expansion.
Jennifer Zammit has been named Senior Director, Canada Sales, Jane Martin takes on the role of Sales Director, National Host Accounts and Gordon Dirker as Senior Vice President, Americas.
The move significantly expands Swan Hellenic’s commercial capability across North and South America, a key growth region for the brand.
Zammit brings extensive experience in luxury travel and trade partnerships. She joins from Rocky Mountaineer, where she served as Key Account Manager for Canada, and has previously held commercial roles at Huntington Travel Group and Globus Family of Brands.
She will focus on strengthening the company’s presence in the Canadian market and developing strategic partnerships with the travel trade.
Karen Kuttner-Dimitry/Aurora Expeditions
Aurora Expeditions has announced the appointment of Karen Kuttner-Dimitry as Vice President, Affinity Sales, North America. Based in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, Karen brings extensive experience across expedition travel, affinity sales, charter development, and small-ship operations.
Kuttner-Dimitry began her career in the travel industry at sea, spending five years as a Social Director and Shore Excursion Manager. This operational experience helped shape her deep understanding of the guest experience and her long-standing passion for expedition and small-ship travel. She later transitioned into sales with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions, initially leading the Mid-Atlantic region before going on to build and scale the company’s affinity business nationally. Since 2004, she has served as Vice President of Affinity and Charter Sales, where she developed the affinity and non-traditional markets, launched the charter department, and helped establish both as highly successful revenue channels.
Prior to Lindblad, Karen held leadership roles with Natural Habitat Adventures and Grand Expeditions, with responsibility across sales, marketing, and operations in the affinity market.
In her new role, Kuttner-Dimitry will lead Aurora Expeditions’ affinity sales strategy across North America, working closely with partners, organizations and special-interest groups to develop meaningful expedition travel opportunities.
Rose Cosentino/Air Canada Vacations
Air Canada Vacations has named Rose Cosentino as the Head of Product Development.
In this role, Cosentino will lead Air Canada Vacations product strategy and partner portfolio, guiding the continued evolution of our offerings and strengthening the relationships that are central to our shared success.
With her extensive leadership experience in the travel and hospitality industry, Cosentino brings a strong track record of driving growth, developing innovative strategies, and building meaningful partnerships across international markets.
Her collaborative approach and deep industry expertise will support our ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional vacation experiences and creating value for our customers and partners alike.
Dean Moore/Goway
Joe Robinson/TTC Tour Brands
TTC Tour Brands has appointed Joe Robinson as Senior Vice President, Sales, North America.
Robinson will report directly to Deputy CEO & Chief Sales Officer Melissa DaSilva and will lead TTC Tour Brands’ North American trade sales strategy across the U.S. and Canada, overseeing advisor partnerships, strategic accounts and field sales.
Robinson has more than two decades of travel industry experience spanning guided vacations, experiential travel and travel technology. Most recently, he served as President & CEO of smarTours. Prior to that, as Managing Director for North America & Oceania at Indie Campers, he helped grow the region from an early-stage presence into a scaled, multi-country business across more than 25 markets.
Earlier in his career, Robinson held senior leadership roles at RocketRez and Big Bus Tours, where he built and led sales and marketing organizations and expanded B2B distribution. He began his career in the advisor channel with Intrepid Travel, ultimately leading trade sales across North America and building relationships across major agency networks and partners.
Known for his collaborative leadership style and focus on execution, Robinson has built high-performing teams and driven sustained growth across multiple sectors of the travel industry.
Marty Milburn & Matthew Kunz/Flair Airlines
Flair Airlines announced the appointment of Marty Milburn as Vice President, Customer Experience and Call Centres, and Captain Matthew Kunz as Chief Operating Officer (COO).
In his new role, Milburn will oversee Flair’s customer experience and call centre operations across all channels, supporting customers through booking, pre-departure travel, disruptions, and post-booking support while helping strengthen operational performance and customer satisfaction across the network. He brings more than 20 years of leadership experience across customer operations, contact centre management, sales performance, and large-scale outsourced operations, having led complex, multi-site, multi-brand customer support organizations across travel, finance, technical support, and other regulated industries.
Meanwhile, Kunz brings more than 20 years of leadership experience across customer operations, contact centre management, sales performance, and large-scale outsourced operations, having led complex, multi-site, multi-brand customer support organizations across travel, finance, technical support, and other regulated industries to the role. He has extensive experience in airline operations, aviation safety, and regulatory compliance, with a strong understanding of the Canadian aviation landscape and Transport Canada’s regulatory framework.
Mathieu Robert/AmaWaterways
AmaWaterways has appointed Mathieu Robert as Business Development Manager for Quebec and Atlantic Canada.
In this new role, Robert will support travel advisors and agency partners across the region, helping to strengthen relationships, drive growth, and share the exceptional experiences that define the AmaWaterways’ brand.
He brings a rich background in travel to the position, having begun his career as a travel advisor before moving into sales leadership with a major cruise line. His experience across both frontline advising and cruise sales gives him a strong understanding of the travel advisor community and the evolving needs of today’s travellers.
Travel advisors and industry partners are encouraged to reach out and welcome Robert as he begins this new chapter with AmaWaterways. He can be contacted at: MathieuRobert@amawaterways.
Patricia Di Benedetto/Explora Journeys
Explora Journeys has promoted Patricia Di Benedetto to the role of Director of Sales, Canada.
Since joining the company in 2022, Di Benedetto has played an instrumental role in growing the brand’s presence and partnerships across the Canadian market.
In her new role, she will continue leading the company’s sales strategy and trade relationships across Canada, focused on driving growth, strengthening key partnerships, and expanding brand visibility nationwide.
Di Benedetto previously held the title of Business Relationship Lead – National & Key Accounts Canada at Explora Journeys. She has extensive experience building retail and hospitality brands for companies like Royal Caribbean International, Reebok and more.
David Gallie/Flight Centre Canada
Flight Centre Canada has named David Gallie as Country Product Leader — a newly created role within the company’s evolving global product structure.
Gallie brings nearly 30 years of experience across the Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG) business, with leadership roles spanning retail, wholesale, product contracting, product marketing, and supplier partnerships.
He began his career with the company in the late 1990s as the first Retail Area Leader in Canada, and is a Flight Centre Hall of Fame and National Leaders Award of Excellence recipient. Most recently, he served on the senior leadership team at Envoyage Canada.
In the new role, Gallie will oversee the brand’s product strategy in Canada — driving product performance, market intelligence, and consultant enablement.
He joins the Canadian executive leadership team, reporting to Anita Emilio, Executive Vice-President and General Manager, Flight Centre Canada, and Monique Van Gelder, Global Product Leader, Flight Centre.
Jamie Fox/Flair Airlines
Jamie Fox has joined Flair Airlines as its Director, Agency Sales and Partnerships, a newly created leadership role focused on expanding Flair’s visibility and engagement across Canada’s travel industry while supporting long-term growth.
Fox will lead Flair’s agency sales and partnership strategy in his new role, focussing on strengthening trade relationships, expanding distribution opportunities, and enhancing collaboration with travel partners across Canada and the United States.
He brings over 30 years of leadership experience across the Canadian and U.S. travel industry, bringing a proven track record of driving revenue growth, expanding market presence, and building high-impact strategic partnerships in highly competitive markets.
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