Rzymowska vows to ‘add value’ in new Hays role


Lucy Huxley


Former Celebrity Cruises EMEA chief Jo Rzymowska has pledged to help Hays Travel continue its growth as the independent agency group “moves into a new era”. The cruise line’s ex-EMEA


vice-president and managing director joined Hays Travel as a non-executive director on Wednesday. Speaking to Travel Weekly at


Abta’s Travel Convention in Bodrum, Hays Travel owner Dame Irene Hays said: “We are very careful about who we appoint to our board. It is a very precious business. “What I wanted was the depth of


travel expertise but also somebody who I have seen challenge the system in all sorts of different circumstances – and that is what we want in Hays Travel as we continue to grow. And the growth plans for 2024 are very exciting.” Rzymowska said: “I was


honoured and delighted to be asked. “It is a business that I’ve admired


for a long time – both [founder] John and Irene individually, but as a business overall, to look at being the most profitable business but also one that gives back to the community and really cares about how it develops.” She added: “What has happened


The important thing


as a non-executive director is keeping your nose in but your hands out


over the last few years is incredible, and how the business has grown. But it’s now moving into a new era. “I’m going to learn so much and


to be involved in a business that is not just about cruise – yes, I love that sector – but [Hays] is much broader, with IG [Independence Group],


On the Beach wins £2m from Ryanair for pandemic refunds


On the Beach Group has won £2 million in a court battle over Ryanair refunds. The online agency started its case against Ryanair in 2021 because On the Beach had to refund customers for cancelled flights during the pandemic that the airline did not pay back. On the Beach will also seek to recover its court costs.


8 2 NOVEMBER 2023


with incredible shops and with the homeworkers and lots more to come. “The important thing as a


non-executive director is keeping your nose in but your hands out… understanding the business and seeing how you can add value.” Rzymowska’s non-executive role


follows the appointment of former dnata and Silver Travel Advisor boss Lisa McAuley, who became strategy director in July after joining as a non-executive in 2021. Hays said: “People of the calibre


of Lisa and Jo do not come along very often. It’s more important that we get it right than we get it quick.”


Virgin Atlantic to axe service to Austin, Texas, from January


Virgin Atlantic is to drop its service to Austin from Heathrow, with the final flight to operate on January 7, 2024. Virgin Atlantic chief commercial officer Juha Järvinen cited a softening in corporate demand as the reason for axing the service. The carrier introduced the link to the Texan city in May 2022.


Jo Rzymowska (left) and Dame Irene Hays


Luxtripper placed in administration with 60 job losses


Luxury online tour operator Luxtripper was placed into administration on Friday and its 60 employees made redundant after failing to find a buyer or to secure funding. Business restructuring


and advisory firm ReSolve announced that partners Chris Farrington and Simon Jagger had been appointed joint administrators of the company and will pursue an asset sale. Luxtripper appointed


ReSolve on October 19 after announcing a suspension of trading as it attempted to secure “an accelerated merger and acquisition”. The Civil Aviation Authority confirmed the Atol- holding company had failed the following day (October 20). The CAA opened an Atol


claims portal for Luxtripper customers with Atol-protected bookings on Thursday. The company had almost 200


customers overseas and more than 2,000 customers with forward bookings when it ceased trading. Luxtripper chief executive


Nena Chaletzos said: “We’re devastated to be announcing this news. The team have worked tirelessly to find a sustainable solution. It is with heavy hearts that we’ve had to choose this option as the only path forward.”


Tributes paid to Haslemere Travel founder Andrew Brownrigg


Tributes have been paid to Haslemere Travel founder Andrew Brownrigg, who died aged 80 on October 13. Haslemere Travel owner Gemma Antrobus described the former chair of Aito Agents as “the quintessential English gentleman”. Brownrigg and his wife Di set up the agency in 1988.


travelweekly.co.uk


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