Marriott International has appointed Sandy Narvaez to market director, leisure sales, Hawaii and French Polynesia. Narvaez brings over 16 years of travel and hospitality experience to this expanded role, where she will oversee and lead leisure segment strategies for Marriott Hotels and Resorts in the Hawaiian Islands and French Polynesia.
Narvaez’s responsibilities include leading the leisure team’s efforts in leveraging Marriott International’s global reach to increase individual hotel revenue, maintaining relationships with key travel advisors and wholesale accounts, establishing travel marketing and action plans, and facilitating the integration of individual property efforts into the overall Marriott Bonvoy Hawaii strategy. Having previously served as the director of sales and marketing of The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach since the property’s full completion in 2018, Narvaez has substantial experience leading strategic global sales and marketing efforts and overseeing successful leisure sales programs. Narvaez was also the director of sales and marketing at Hilton Waikiki Beach and DoubleTree by Hilton Alana Waikiki and previously managed OTA, corporate, and wholesale segments.
Also in Hawaii, The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua has appointed Melissa Lee as hotel manager, where she will oversee all hotel operations. She brings with her more than 20 years of experience in the luxury hospitality and culinary industry.
Prior to joining The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, Lee was director of hotel operations at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis. She also held executive positions at The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City; The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island; and The Ritz-Carlton, Orlando, Grande Lakes, where she was named “Most Innovative Leader of the Year.”
Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort has added Mariajose Rodriguez Arana as resort manager. In this position, Mariajose will reopen the Big Island resort on July 1, following a decade-long rest. With an impressive tenure working for the Rosewood brand and seasoned experience in the field of luxury hospitality, Mariajose will contribute to the success of the resort’s day-to-day operations for its grand opening and beyond.
A member of the Rosewood family for almost two decades, Mariajose started working with the luxury brand at Las Ventanas al Paraíso, A Rosewood Resort in Los Cabos, Mexico. Initially acting as a restaurant manager, she gradually moved through the property’s ranks, filling integral roles from head butler to romance director, before being appointed director of rooms in 2012. In 2019, Mariajose transferred to Rosewood Mayakoba, where she held the role of resort manager. There, she oversaw the daily affairs of the property, helping to build on its stellar reputation in the world of unparalleled resort hospitality.
Cruise Line Hires
On the cruise front, Ponant welcomed Belinda Hindmarsh as Group Deputy CEO global business. Hindmarsh succeeds Hervé Bellaïche, Group Deputy CEO sales, marketing and communications, who left the company to turn to new professional opportunities.
Hindmarsh, originally from New Zealand, will head up a large team and will be responsible for strategy and product conception, as well as global business development, marketing and communications. A travel expert with over 20 years of experience in the industry, she has held senior positions at Aer Lingus, Expedia and most recently at CWT (formerly Carlson Wagonlit Travel) where she managed the business development of the hotel division and operations in China. She was previously executive vice president and member of the group’s executive committee responsible for business growth and development.
Aqua Expeditions, luxury small-ship expedition line, has announced two new sales representatives: Cheryl Jiffo, North America sales representative, and Max Campos, sales manager for the U.K. and Northern Europe. The announcement represents the latest in Aqua Expeditions’ organizational growth to elevate brand awareness globally.
With more than 15 years of experience in the luxury industry, Jiffo is now supporting Aqua Expeditions' sales initiatives in the United States and Canada alongside Monika Weinsoft, regional director of sales. Her role in the region will involve identifying new opportunities, developing relationships with key accounts, product training and driving sales growth all aimed at strengthening the positioning of Aqua's fleet of five ships, which operate seven different luxury experiences. Previously, Jiffo held positions at Virgin Voyages, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Expedia Cruises.
Meanwhile, London-based Campos will focus on trade relations to strengthen Aqua Expeditions’ presence in the United Kingdom, supporting Global Director of Sales Milly Alva Haimberger. With over 15 years of experience in sales and marketing management, Campos brings a wealth of experience in luxury and experiential tourism, having worked for Air Canada, Aerolíneas Argentinas and Air Europa.
Lastly, Sarah Yates has been named regional account manager for South Florida at American Queen Voyages (AQV). In her new role, she will be responsible for representing the brand’s portfolio of North American cruise vacations, comprising Rivers, Lakes & Oceans and Expedition experiences.
Yates joins the team with more than 12 years of cruise industry experience. Before joining AQV, she was a concession partner working with Royal Caribbean International, Holland America Line and Disney Cruise Lines. Most recently, she was a fleet manager for Park West Gallery. Yates previously was fleet managing director at the PPI Group and a brand manager at Danyal Paraiba prior to that. She began her cruise career working at sea, where she was part of the entertainment team at Carnival Cruise Line.
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