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Chantal Gouveia/RIT Vacations

RIT Vacations has appointed Chantal Gouveia to the role of Groups & Sales Manager, strengthening the company’s sales team as it continues to expand its UK and Ireland portfolio and grow its customized group travel business. 

Bringing more than 18 years of travel industry experience, Gouveia joins RIT Vacations with extensive expertise in developing tailor-made itineraries, group programs and unique travel experiences. Most recently with AC Group, and previously serving as Product Manager for Western Europe at Kensington Tours, she brings valuable destination knowledge, strong industry relationships and a passion for showcasing the best of Ireland and the UK. 

In her new role, she will lead the development and management of customized group travel programs, working closely with RIT’s sales, product and operations teams across Canada, Ireland and the UK. She will oversee group enquiries from initial concept and itinerary planning through to booking and departure, ensuring travel advisors and their clients receive personalized support throughout the process. Gouveia will also play an important role in strengthening RIT’s relationships with travel advisors and agency partners, supporting product training, webinars and industry events, while identifying new opportunities to grow the company’s group and specialty travel business.

Alma Ortiz/The Travel Agent Next Door

Alma Ortiz has been promoted to Director Supplier Relations for The Travel Agent Next Door (TTAND). She will be responsible for managing TTAND’s portfolio of suppliers and destination management companies. Ortiz brings over 20 years of travel industry experience to her leadership of supplier relations and manages the TTAND National Conference.

Since joining the organization in June 2016, Ortiz has grown her portfolio to 70 supplier partners and 10 destination management companies and manages contracting new partnerships, executing renewals, and overseeing revenue growth and market-share development.

Ortiz began her career in 1999 with the North American Leisure Group, which later became Thomas Cook and is now TravelBrands. She was Event Coordinator in Inside Sales, managing annual product launches and roadshows across Ontario and Atlantic Canada, along with brochure distribution for Thomas Cook’s brand portfolio. 

Alisa Stephenson & Brian Paivo/Air Canada Vacations

Air Canada Vacations has announced that Alisa Stephenson and Brian Paivo are joining its sales team, reinforcing its commitment to serving travel advisors and industry partners across Canada.

Alisa Stephenson joins Air Canada Vacations as Key Account Manager for Burnaby, Tri-Cities, Fraser Valley, Okanagan and Northern British Columbia, bringing expertise in leisure and corporate travel management, sales, and business development, along with more than a decade of entrepreneurial experience.

Her diverse background has fostered a solutions oriented mindset, adaptability, and a passion for delivering exceptional customer experiences.

Raised in Tokyo, Japan, within an international school community, Alisa developed an appreciation for diverse cultures and perspectives from an early age. This global outlook fuelled her love of travel and shaped her ability to build meaningful connections with people from a wide range of backgrounds. She looks forward to bringing her unique perspective to Air Canada Vacations while building strong partnerships throughout her region.

Joining as Key Account Manager for Toronto West, Brian Paivo brings more than 15 years of experience across sales, customer experience, insurance, tourism operations, and partner management. His career has included business development and strategic partnership roles in both Canadian and international markets.

In addition to his corporate accomplishments, Brian served as the Honorary Consul of Canada in Varadero, Cuba, where he supported Canadian citizens abroad while fostering diplomatic and community relationships. His broad industry knowledge and commitment to service will be valuable assets to Air Canada Vacations and its partners.

Jennifer Bradbury/Project Expedition

Project Expedition has named Jennifer Bradbury as Business Development Manager, Canada. Bradbury will spearhead the company’s expansion across Canada, building strong relationships with travel advisors, driving business, and developing strategic partnerships from coast to coast in this dedicated role.

Bradbury brings 26 years of travel industry expertise to the role. Her background includes four years as Partnerships Manager at Wild Women Expeditions and two decades with Flight Centre, where she most recently served as Director of Partner Relations. Recognized globally with travel industry awards, Bradbury has also served on committees championing women in travel and brings a deep personal passion for global exploration, having visited 47 countries.

Lisa Berry/Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises has appointed Lesley Berry to the role of Field Sales Manager for Western Ontario. Berry, who is a familiar face in the industry from her work with ACTA, also has previous travel experience as a flight attendant, travel counsellor and vacation coordinator.

In her new role, Berry will support the travel advisor community and helping them grow their Celebrity Cruises business.

She brings more than a decade of experience within the travel industry, with a diverse background spanning multiple areas of the business. 

Paul Georgopoulos/TTI Travel Canada

TTI Travel Canada has appointed Paul Georgopoulos as Senior Director, Strategic Client Partnerships, strengthening the company’s focus on corporate-travel growth and high-touch, client-centered service reporting to Lucy LaVigna, Vice President Travel Services.

Georgopoulos brings more than 25 years of experience in corporate travel, strategic sales, business development, and client relationship management. He joins TTI following a long career with American Express Global Business Travel, where he built a strong reputation for developing trusted client relationships and supporting organizations with their evolving travel-program needs.

In his new role, Georgopoulos will focus on strategic business development, expanding TTI’s corporate client portfolio, and building relationships with organizations seeking customized travel-management solutions. He will work closely with TTI’s leadership and sales team to advance new client opportunities to help prospective clients understand how TTI combines personalized Canadian service with global travel-management capabilities.

Eugénie Audebert/Air France-KLM

Air France-KLM has appointed Eugénie Audebert as Country Manager for Canada. She becomes the 19th person to lead the Group’s Canadian organization, established in 1950, the year Air France launched its first service between Montréal and Paris.

Audebert brings nearly 20 years of experience within the Air France-KLM Group to the Canadian market. She began her career in Italy and has since held several positions in sales development, strategy and customer experience. She was previously based in Bogotá, Colombia, where she had served as Commercial Director for the Andean countries, Central America, Cuba and the Dominican Republic since August 2023.

Her previous roles include Global Sales Account Manager, where she was responsible for monitoring performance, managing client relationships, and negotiating commercial agreements.

Nicole Mathias/travelbrands

travelbrands is welcoming Nicole Mathias to its sales team as Business Development Manager for the GTA to Fort Erie, Southwestern Ontario and Atlantic Canada.

Mathias brings nearly two decades of travel industry experience to the role. She began her career in 2007 as an in-store travel advisor before going on to operate her own independent agency. Well respected within the travel community, she has also mentored and supported fellow advisors as they built and grew their businesses.

Her experience as both a storefront and home-based advisor gives Nicole a valuable perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing travel professionals today, as well as the support they need to grow their businesses.

In her new role, Nicole will work closely with agency partners throughout her territory, helping them grow their sales and maximize opportunities across travelbrands’ extensive portfolio of products and services. Travel advisors can connect with Mathias at [email protected].

Sevi Anagnostis & Michael Raffanello/TRAVELSAVERS

TRAVELSAVERS has appointed Sevi Anagnostis as Senior Director, Supplier Relations. With more than 35 years of experience directing national partnerships, negotiations and revenue-growth strategies, she brings a proven ability to unite suppliers and agencies around shared goals that drive measurable results.

In her new role, Anagnostis will strengthen relationships with air and car partners, identifying opportunities for mutual growth and helping agencies increase their share of business with those suppliers.

Most recently, Anagnostis served as National Accounts Manager at WestJet Vacations, where she led the growth of a multimillion-dollar portfolio. Her background also includes leadership roles with Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Air Canada, Canadian Airlines and Canadian Holidays.

Michael Raffanello has also joined TRAVELSAVERS Canada as Supplier Relations and Marketing Coordinator, bringing to his role more than five years of experience in multichannel marketing, campaign analysis, event coordination and vendor relations.

Nick Levasseur/Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises has named Nick Levasseur to the role of Field Sales Manager.

Levasseur will be responsible for Quebec and the Maritime provinces, and has experience both in the travel and medical industry. 

Prior to joining Celebrity Cruises, he served as a Business Development Manager for Collette, covering Eastern Ontario and Atlantic Canada.

Michèle Rauzon/Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.

Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) has appointed Michèle Rauzon as Business Development Representative for Québec. 

A highly respected tourism professional with more than four decades of industry experience, Rauzon brings an exceptional depth of knowledge and an extensive network of relationships across Québec’s travel trade. 

Rauzon will work closely with travel advisors and industry stakeholders to expand awareness of Barbados, deliver destination training, support cooperative marketing initiatives, and inspire more Québec travellers to experience the warmth, culture, and world-class experiences that define the island.

Travel advisors and industry partners throughout Québec can reach Rauzon by email at [email protected].

Justin French/Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line has promoted Justin French to the position of vice president, charters, meetings and incentives. 

French has held various positions during his tenure with the cruise line since 2003, including most recently as Regional Vice President, and is now responsible for the strategic leadership, commercial growth, and operational oversight of Carnival Cruise Line’s charter, meetings, and incentive group business.

In this role, he leads the development and execution of growth strategies, cultivates key industry partnerships, and oversees the successful delivery of charter and group programs, ensuring exceptional customer experiences, operational excellence, and strong business performance.

“I am honoured to lead Carnival Cruise Line’s Charters, Meetings & Incentives Department at such a dynamic time for our business. Together, we will continue to deliver exceptional customer experiences, strengthen strategic partnerships, and drive sustainable growth while advancing Carnival’s leadership in the group and charter market.”

Sara Norris/Park’N Fly

Park’N Fly has appointed Edmonton-based sales veteran Sara Norris as its new Account Executive for Alberta, as the national airport parking company looks to build on strong growth in the corporate and leisure markets.

Norris brings a wealth of sales experience across diverse sectors, most recently in the wine industry. She also brings an entrepreneurial perspective, having operated her own business for several years, where she helped small businesses, particularly nonprofits, develop marketing strategies and enhance their online presence through website design.

Passionate about continuous learning and building strong relationships, in her new role, she looks forward to supporting customers and partners while helping drive continued growth across the Alberta market. Norris is based in Edmonton and looks forward to connecting with businesses and organizations throughout the region.

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.

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