Badrinath to Accor as Deputy CEO

Vivek Badrinath joins Accor as Deputy Chief Executive Officer. He will be responsible for marketing, digital solutions, distribution, and information systems. Vivek Badrinath will be a member of the Group's Executive Committee. This appointment will be effective as of March 1.

"I am very happy Vivek has agreed to join Accor. He will be responsible for areas that are key to the Group's success and the development of its brands,” said Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO of Accor. “I am convinced that his perfect knowledge of digital issues and his international experience will give new impulse to Accor's teams and be sources of innovation and creativity. He brings 20 years of experience in an industry that has been through several technological revolutions and this will enable us to handle the major challenges facing the hotel sector and be ahead of the curve."

Vivek Badrinath is a graduate of école Polytechnique and école Nationale Supérieure des Télécommunications.

Vivek Badrinath started his career in 1992 at the French Ministry of Industry and has spent much of his career with Orange, most recently as deputy CEO – innovation, marketing and technologies in 2013.

Amadeus appoints Mazer to Lead Innovation and Research

Travel technology provider Amadeus announced that Dr. Murray Mazer, recently Vice President of Software Engineering and Distributed Development at Endeca Technologies, is joining the company as Head of Innovation and Research, effective immediately.

Reporting to the Head of R&D, Mazer assumes responsibility for defining and implementing the company’s framework for innovation, ensuring that Amadeus continues to develop and deliver innovative, flexible and value-added technology solutions for the travel industry.

Mazer’s career in the software industry stretches back over 20 years and spans numerous technologies, markets, and companies. He has held a variety of senior technical and strategy posts, beginning his career as a Principal Research Engineer at Digital’s Cambridge Research Lab, one of the world’s top organisations for software innovation. He was also a Principal Investigator at the Open Software Foundation, which focused on collaboratively developed new technologies.

Thompson to Lead Aqua Culinary Team

Aqua Expeditions has announced the appointment of Michelin-starred Chef David Thompson to its culinary team.  Australian-born David Thompson joins Aqua Expeditions as Executive Chef of the Aqua Mekong river cruise ship (pictured, below), scheduled to launch in September 2014.

Thompson's Nahm restaurant in Bangkok is considered a destination in itself for international travelers. Thompson was selected by Francesco Galli Zugaro, CEO and founder of Aqua Expeditions.

"I was determined to identify the very best and most creative chef in the region for my second river destination," Zugaro said. “As Asia's top-ranked chef on 'San Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants,' David is the perfect fit for the exclusive Aqua Mekong because his unique culinary experience and first-hand knowledge of Asian ingredients and palates will enable us to provide guests with the authentic culinary experience they expect from an Aqua Expeditions cruise."

With a reputation for first-class cuisine influenced by Southeast Asia, Thompson will create an exclusive menu for Aqua Expeditions' guests, combining the culinary traditions of Mekong River culture with the freshest local ingredients plucked from the markets of Saigon, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.

Solmar Signs New Spa Director

The newly launched Solmar Spa Collection at the Baja Peninsula’s Solmar Hotels & Resorts recently announced the appointment of a new Spa Director, Ricardo Adame Carbajal.

Adame has over 10 years of experience in the spa industry, including management of other renowned Los Cabos-based establishments such as the YHI Spa at the ME Cabo, Armonia Spa at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Resort & Spa and SpaRitual at Cabo Villas Beach Resort & Spa.

In his new position, Adame will be responsible for overseeing daily operations & management of the Solmar Spa Collection, consisting of four distinct spa experiences - Playa Grande SPA the Sea Spa Cabañas at Grand Solmar Land's End; the Spa Cabañas at Solmar All-Inclusive Resort & Beach Club; and the Temazcal Sanctuary at Playa Grande SPA.

Fairmont Appoints Jane Mackie to VP Spot

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has announced the appointment of Jane Mackie as vice president, Fairmont Brand.

In her new role, Mackie will lead the Fairmont brand, developing brand strategy, focusing on refining and articulating the brand positioning and communicating Fairmont Hotels & Resorts brand messaging. As part of her responsibilities, Mackie will also define strategies to further enhance Fairmont's competitive position in the luxury hotel segment.

She will lead a dedicated brand team in setting brand standards for product, service and communications and will personally lead Fairmont’s sustainability strategies for which the brand has long been renowned.

Mackie brings over 20 years of hospitality experience to her new role including work in sales and marketing, brand strategy, partnerships and revenue generation. She began her career at Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.

She has held a series of progressive executive positions over her 11 years with the company, including vice president, advertising and promotions, North America and vice president, marketing, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts. Additional roles included vice president, marketing for Loews Hotels, Viceroy Hotels and Resorts and Cape Advisors/Cape Resorts Group. In 2011, she joined Club Quarters as staff vice president, revenue planning.

Greer new GM for Resorts West

Resorts West has named Gregg Greer, former President and CEO of Powder Mountain, as General Manager of the Park City-based lodging company.

Greer left Powder Mountain after leading the company to a 50-percent increase in sales over seven years. During his tenure, Powder Mountain earned accolades from USA Today, Forbes and Outside Magazine as one of the best ski areas in North America.   

Greer brings more than 25 years of experience in sales, management, leadership and entrepreneurship to Resorts West, including executive-level positions with Russell Reynolds Associates, Johnson & Johnson and Motorola.

As General Manager of Resorts West, Greer will primarily focusing on the company’s vacation rental services, Greer will oversee continued guest service enhancement and property quality development, including expansion of the Resorts West Reserve Collection and elevating the Signature Private Concierge program.

Greer has taken over for three-year General Manager Ben Wallace, who moved to Vice President of Sales.