HODGE PODGE: Shifts, Shakeups and Occasional Shaftings in the Tour and Travel Industry

Ma Xulun has stepped down from his position as general manager at China Eastern Airlines, the No. 2 carrier in the country, to join No. 1 China Southern Airlines in the same role. Ma had been at China Eastern for 10 years. China Southern’s previous general manager, Tan Wangeng, departed in November to take up the same position at Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, the country’s state-owned commercial aircraft manufacturer better known as Comac.

Youtravel.com has appointed two new distribution managers, taking its field-based distribution team up to five people for the UK & Ireland. New addition Charlotte Gallop’s (left) previous experience includes tenures at Travel Counsellors and Thomas Cook in business development and retail roles. Jo Arnold joins from Destinations of the World, where she held the role of sales manager and previously had experience in other trade facing roles including Shearing’s and Affordable Car Hire.

Dolly McMullan Chewning has taken over as director of sales and marketing at Discover South Carolina. She will oversee a team of professionals who manage all aspects of the tourism office. Chewning has served in leadership roles with the agency since October 1998.

Cathy Doran has retired from the Greater Boston CVB. A 40-year employee of the bureau, Doran had served in a number of management and senior level positions at the organization, lastly as senior vice president, administration, membership & marketing programs.

Lee Haslett, vice president of sales and product for Virgin Holidays, is moving across to Virgin Atlantic as part of a senior restructuring at the company. The shakeup of the product and distribution leadership team will see Haslett become vice president of sales at sister airline Virgin Atlantic starting in June. Among other changes announced: Angus Bond, previously head of USA product, has taken up the role of head of e-commerce and hotel sourcing. He is responsible for spearheading a digital overhaul as part of the business’ growth, has been promoted to head of USA product.

Peter Cranis has been selected as the new director of the Space Coast Tourism Development Office in Brevard County, Florida. Cranis, whose selection for the post must still be approved at a Feb. 12 meeting of the board of county commissioners, has been a part of the tour and travel industry for more than 20 years. He has served as head of marketing for Merlin Entertainments, and as vice president of global consumer & convention marketing for Visit Orlando.

Jacqueline Conrado has been named United Airlines’ new country director for Brazil. Conrado, who’s spent just over two years at the airline, where she was a marketing manager, was temporarily in the position of Lucimar Reis, who left the company in early November. “She did so well in this interim period that I and our Chicago leaders have bet we have the skills and competence to lead our largest and largest market in Latin America,” said Alex Savic, United’s Latin America director.

Cunard’s Graham Bishop has joined Just You and Travelsphere as account manager. He joins from Cunard, where he was partnership development manager. He’ll start his new job on Feb. 11. In his previous role with Cunard, Bishop was responsible for partnerships in London and East Anglia. Before that, he held roles with Carnival UK and Virgin Holidays. Bishop’s appointment follows that of John Docherty, who came to the Just You/Travelsphere team from Princess Cruises.

Claudia Benvenuto has been appointed director, group sales & operations at Hozho Travel, a Los Angeles-based receptive tour operator offering customized, unique travel experiences throughout the United States. With nearly three decades of experience in the receptive tourism industry, Benvenuto previously served as business development manager with GTA, and in senior positions with AlliedTPro, with AmericanTours International.