CAREERS
‘SHE LEFT THEM CLAPPING’: Industry icon Dina Bertolo calls it a career (again)
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Fifteen years ago when I wrote about Dina Bertolo’s (first) retirement from Thomas Cook North America, I dubbed her “Queen Dina” – a name that not surprisingly stuck. But just when she thought she was out, the travel industry, as it does, pulled her back in, and another dozen eventful years at Air Canada Vacations ensued.
A NEW CHAPTER FOR HODGE, GOWAY NAMES MOORE CEO
Goway has named Dean Moore as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer, marking a new chapter for founder Bruce Hodge, who will remain as President and Chairman and continue to oversee Goway’s subsidiary corporate travel division, Globespan Travel Management.
ARE YOU QUALIFIED?: WestJet Airlines president to retire, replacement sought
A global search is underway for a new president for WestJet Airlines. Diederik Pen, who is also Group Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) announced his retirement last week, with his departure expected to be in the first quarter of 2027 at the latest pending the integration of his replacement.
‘THE NEXT CHAPTER’: Flair appoints Fox to focus on travel trade
Flair Airlines has brought former Air Canada exec Jamie Fox onboard as Director, Agency Sales and Partnerships, a newly created role designed to further the discount airline’s growth by engaging the travel trade.
BEVERLY CHENG IS NEW HONG TOURISM BOARD DIRECTOR FOR CANADA
The Hong Kong Tourism Board has introduced a new Director for Canada. Based in her home city, Toronto native Beverly Cheng brings a global perspective to the HKTB, shaped by more than a decade living and working in Hong Kong.
SAINT LUCIA INTRODUCES NEW CDN. MARKETING MANAGER
Giselle Williams is the new Marketing Manager, Canada for the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA). She arrives with more than eight years of experience in destination marketing, business development, and travel trade engagement in the Canadian market having held senior roles with organizations including Unique Vacations Canada and a leading Caribbean Tourism Authority.
DAWSON RETURNS AT ROYALTON
Canadian travel industry veteran and, until recently, president of Sunwing Vacations Group Andrew Dawson, has joined Royalton Hotels International as Chief Financial Officer. The Canadian-based all-inclusive hospitality brand operates more than two dozen luxury properties across the Caribbean and Mexico.
FLIGHT CENTRE APPOINTMENTS SUPPORT GROWTH
Flight Centre Canada has strengthened its leadership team with two strategic appointments as the business continues a period of sustained growth. Angela Bokma joins the business as Director of Marketing, while David Ardagh steps into the role of Commercial Financial Manager, transitioning from his previous position as Senior Financial Analyst within Flight Centre Travel Group.
BRAND USA APPOINTS TRADE MANAGER FOR CANADA
Brand USA has announced the appointment of Marion Certain as Trade Manager for Canada, notably filling a position that had been vacant since the death last May of Casey Canevari.
RINALDI RETURNS TO PORTER: Takes helm as director for Quebec
Porter Airlines has appointed Carlo Rinaldi as Director, Quebec Market Development, to lead the company’s commercial presence in the province. Based in Montreal, Rinaldi will drive Porter’s market development strategy, with a focus on growing corporate travel, expanding agency partnerships, and deepening engagement across the travel trade and corporate sectors.
UNDER FIRE AIR CANADA BOSS TO STEP DOWN: Will language skills limit replacement options?
Air Canada chief executive Michael Rousseau will leave the company later this year after coming under fire last week for his failure to deliver a video condolence message in French following a plane crash that killed two Air Canada Express pilots.
SANDALS-BEACHES INTRODUCES NEW WESTERN BDM
Antoine Gordon has been named the new Business Development Manager, Alberta, Manitoba and Northwest Territories for Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts. Based in Calgary, he takes his post immediately.
NEW TICO CHAIR ARRIVES AT ‘IMPORTANT TIME’
The Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) has announced the appointment of Andrew Gibbons as the incoming Chair of its Board of Directors. The appointment was made by the Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement.
COLLETTE CANADA WELCOMES BACK COUPLAND
Collette has introduced Shane Coupland as its new Head of Sales, Canada, overseeing sales strategy, partner engagement, and market growth across the country.
FLYING HIGH AT FLAIR: Former Sunwing Airlines president named new CEO
Flair Airlines has named Len Corrado as Chief Executive Officer. Effective Feb. 9, the former president of Sunwing Airlines replaces Maciej Wilk as part of planned transition at the company.
FOSTER JOINS TRAVEL INDUSTRY SOLUTIONS: New role supports advisor professionalism and protection
Long-time Canadian travel industry leader (and Travel Industry Today columnist) Mike Foster has joined Travel Industry Solutions (TIS) as Director of Strategic Partners. TIS is a travel-industry legal and payments-technology platform that provides Canadian advisors with compliant client agreements, secure credit-card collection, and real-time fraud detection at the payment-vault level.
TRAVELBRANDS INTRODUCES NEW B.C. BDM
TravelBrands has announced the appointment of Janita Hubbard as Business Development Manager for British Columbia. She brings more than 13 years of experience in the travel industry to the role.
ACTA PROMOTES BOWEN
The Association of Canadian Travel Agencies and Travel Advisors (ACTA) has announced the promotion of Fiona Bowen to Senior Manager Membership, recognizing her outstanding contributions and more than 30 years of experience in the travel industry.
GAIL LEA TIPPED FOR TAAP ROLE IN CANADA
Expedia TAAP has announced the appointment of Gail Lea as Business Development Manager and Account Manager for Canada. With more than 20 years of experience in tourism marketing, destination development, and front-line travel advising, Lea brings a strong combination of industry insight, strategic capability, and relationship-driven leadership.
ODDLEIFSON NAMED VP AT VOX
VoX International is enhancing its leadership team with the promotion of Erin Oddleifson to Vice President. Oddleifson was previously Director, overseeing administration, public relations, marketing, sales, operations and human resources.