Joelle Apilado Cruz (Source: Classic Vacations)
WHY IT RATES: Joelle Apilado Cruz, who was promoted to senior vice president, supply management – Americas, and Bonty Escallon, named Vice President, Supply Management – Europe, have collectively accrued 50 years of experience at the tour operator’s parent company TBO.COM, a travel distribution platform. The promotions are expected to make serious inroads in the Americas and Europe markets for Classic Vacations. — Claudette Covey, Executive Retail Editor
Classic Vacations, in partnership with TBO.COM, has announced the promotions of two longtime Classic leaders to expanded roles supporting the global supply business. Joelle Apilado Cruz has been named Senior Vice President, Supply Management – Americas, and Bonty Escallon has been named Vice President, Supply Management – Europe.
The appointments come as TBO and Classic continue to align their supply management structures for scale, including the formal establishment of an Americas region. In their expanded roles, Cruz and Escallon will lead the supply business for their respective regions.
Cruz, who has been with Classic Vacations for nearly 25 years, brings market expertise, enduring and trusted partner relationships, and extensive experience developing and growing luxury travel products. As leader of the Americas region, she will have responsibility for supply strategy, supplier partnerships, contracting across existing and new destinations, and portfolio growth across air, hotels, experiences, and travel protection for both Classic and TBO.
Bonty Escallon (Photo Credit: Classic Vacations)
Escallon brings nearly 30 years of experience with Classic Vacations, along with extensive knowledge of Europe’s luxury travel landscape, deep supplier relationships, and a long track record of driving growth. As Vice President, Supply Management – Europe, she will lead the supply business across Europe, bringing together portfolio strategy, supplier partnerships, contracting, and product development to expand opportunities throughout the continent.
“These appointments mark an important step in creating a unified, high-performance global supply organization,” said Peter Palli, Chief Supply Officer, TBO.
Together, Cruz and Escallon bring decades of market expertise and supplier relationships to the broader enterprise, strengthening the global supply business while continuing to shape the portfolio and partnerships that support Classic Vacations’ travel advisor community.
SOURCE: Classic Vacations press release
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