Richard Downs,
Iglu.com
Iglu funding shows banks are ‘loosening their wallets’
Iglu.com has secured £7.5 million in funding from the Royal Bank of Scotland in a deal hailed by chief executive Richard Downs as “recognition that travel is an interesting market and the banks are loosening their wallets”. The funding allows Iglu to refinance its existing bank and shareholder debt and also provides working capital. Downs denied he had any acquisition plans, but said the funding “gives the company the ability to move quickly”.
“The elections should not have a huge impact. Ukip can’t bring the process to a halt”
Abta’s Mark Tanzer on election impact on progress of PTD reform
MORE IN TRAVEL WEEKLY BUSINESS: BACK PAGE
Global Travel Group makes two appointments to team Global Travel Group has made two appointments to its senior team as it continues to grow. Rhian Herbert is joining from Freedom Travel Group as head of business development, while Nikki Keeling, former financial operations manager at The Co-operative Travel, will join as commercial manager. Managing director Andy Stark said: “We’ve got more growth plans to come and we need to have the right talent in place.”
Aito STA unveils final two speakers for conference The Association of Independent Tour Operators’ Specialist Travel Agents has unveiled its two final speakers for next week’s overseas conference. Joel Hicks, founder of charitable foundation Always With A Smile, and music development manager Karen Willey, of Music Concierge, will join other guest speaker Charles Reid, a social media expert, at the four-day event in Prague.
Minoan Group completes Martin Singer Travel deal Minoan Group has completed the takeover of Aberdeen- based Martin Singer Travel. The £250,000 deal, first announced in March, will bring new business travel revenue to the Scottish group. Minoan said it expected the acquisition to be “earnings- enhancing” in the current financial year. Martin Singer Travel is a long-established independent business based eight miles from Aberdeen airport.
Hilton unveils new brand Curio for luxury travellers Hilton Worldwide this week unveiled Curio, a new brand aimed at luxury travellers. The company plans to build a collection of four and five-star independently operated urban and resort hotels. Hilton is targeting hotels in mature markets, mostly in the US and Europe, and has so far signed agreements with five US hotels, including the SLS Las Vegas. It is also expected to secure two more deals in Doha and Dubai.
SLS Las Vegas: one of the first Curio hotels
Celebrity Cruises delivers hampers
to London agents The Celebrity Cruises team hit the roads of London to deliver hampers to agents. Michael English, head of business
development, and Jennifer Vieira, marketing and PR manager, travelled in a black cab covered with the cruise line’s branding as they visited staff at two Trailfinders agencies, a Kuoni shop and an Abercrombie & Kent store. The cruise line has been focusing on London as a key area for potential customers. English said it was important to reward agents for their hard work and he was keen to give them a “taste of modern luxury”. English (left) is pictured with Andy King and David Ness, both of Trailfinders in Kensington High Street.
Senior figures leave Cook after management shake-up Thomas Cook has made a number of changes to its management team in the UK with several senior figures leaving the business. Reto Wilhelm, who
was appointed UK managing director in November last year, has returned to Switzerland to run the East/ West region due to family reasons. Salman Syed
“We
are really going to
has been made UK managing director of commercialisation, to support chief operating officer Peter Fankhauser, who will continue to be closely involved in the UK. The travel giant also confirmed the departure of Mike Hoban, UK sales, marketing and ecommerce director, who joined from
Confused.com in October 2012. Cook said Hoban had left to “pursue other opportunities”, and confirmed that chief marketing officer Remo Masala, who joined
8 •
travelweekly.co.uk — 5 June 2014 accelerate our
unified strategy now”
six months ago from Kuoni, would now take direct responsibility for marketing in the UK. Hoban’s direct reports will be split between Masala and Syed. A Thomas Cook spokesman said: “We are really going to accelerate our unified marketing strategy now. The next step is to push forward even harder with a common approach across the group. It makes sense that Remo Masala takes over more
responsibility for the UK where Cook is the most
attractive brand in the market.” Andy Cooper, Thomas Cook
Group director of government and external affairs, left on Friday after five years with the business. UK finance director Nigel Arthur and Deborah Aylward, head of supplier relations, have also left the company.
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