Human Resources

📰 Simone Puorto was appointed as Board Advisor to Takyon at the Global Revenue Forum in London, 2026. Takyon aims to redefine hospitality distribution with AI products like dAirect Connect, which makes hotel websites AI-compatible. Puorto, a top 100 Digital Thought Leader, will guide Takyon's strategy as 40% of travelers now use AI for planning. This shift emphasizes AI readiness over traditional SEO, ensuring hotels remain visible in AI-driven recommendations.

📈 Alexandra Withers has been appointed as chief commercial officer for Accor’s Fairmont and Raffles Hotels & Resorts. With over 15 years' experience, she joins from Highgate Hotels, where she was EVP, Head of Marketing since 2024. Withers has successfully launched over 25 luxury properties worldwide. She takes over from Kristen Richter, who left Accor in November to join Peregrine Hospitality.

🏨 Philippe Kronberg appointed General Manager of Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London, effective 12 January 2026. He will also support operations of Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, Paris, Lutetia, and Conservatorium, Amsterdam, functioning from 14 January. With over 30 years in luxury hospitality, Kronberg's previous role was Resort General Manager at Shangri-La, Muscat. He holds a Diploma from Les Roches and an Executive MBA from AGSM. Fluent in English, French, and German, he is a former paratrooper.

💻 Diego Di Paolo, appointed as Head of Sales at Adalte during Fitur Madrid, aims to accelerate international growth through strategic relationships. His extensive experience spans Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Adalte is evolving its Community.Travel platform into a multi-level marketplace to enhance collaboration with tour operators. The platform supports precise matching of supply and demand and includes modules for product upload and third-party service consolidation. The company aims to boost global partnerships in travel tech.

🏨 Javier Águila's appointment as Global President of Hyatt's all-inclusive portfolio in March 2025 marks a significant milestone. The Inclusive Collection now features over 150 resorts and 55,000 rooms across Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe. Maria Zarraluqui joins to spearhead asset-light growth. Hyatt's strategic acquisitions, such as Playa Hotels & Resorts, bolster its portfolio. Recent openings include Secrets Playa Esmeralda and Secrets St. Lucia, with plans for Hyatt Vivid Punta Cana by 2026.

📈 Inn-Flow, Cary, N.C., announced strategic leadership changes for 2026 with Lee Bridges as Chief Product Officer and Daniel Scagnelli as Senior VP of Customer Experience, to enhance hotel industry growth. Bridges, with 15 years in SaaS, excels in AI and fintech, previously aiding XOi's $230M capital raise. Scagnelli, with over 15 years in SaaS, improved customer retention at Spreedly. These appointments coincide with Inn-Flow's 2026 HotelTechAwards recognition, bolstering their back-office platform for hotels.

🏨 Evolution Hospitality, part of Aimbridge Hospitality, has taken over management of the 82-room Balfour Miami Beach, an Art Deco hotel since 1940 in SoFi, Miami Beach, Florida. Chosen by FullG CRE Investments for their expertise with luxury lifestyle hotels, Evolution aims to elevate the hotel's brand. Balfour Miami Beach is near Ocean Drive and home to Laurel Miami and SoFi Coffee. The hotel recently joined Wyndham's Registry Collection.

🏨 Hospitality strategist with 25 years of experience works with global brands, independent owners, and real estate developers worldwide, including Europe, Asia, and Australia. Past roles include Managing Director at creative agencies Pixelpark and Scholz & Friends, and Design Hotels alumnus. Experience spans industries such as real estate, automotive, aviation, finance, and telecommunications. Known for creating economically successful and critically acclaimed strategies, with references like citizenM, 25hours Hotels, and luxury properties like Berlin's Das Stue and The Setai in Miami.

🚀 Propellic, a digital marketing agency for the travel and tourism sector, is expanding its leadership team. Jeff Johnson, with 20+ years in digital marketing, joins as COO, and John Matson, with 15+ years in sales and marketing, becomes CRO. Johnson will enhance operations and service delivery, while Matson will drive revenue strategy and growth. Their expertise signifies Propellic's next growth phase, focusing on scaling business and ensuring travel brands achieve measurable outcomes.