Vacation.com President John Lovell has been named president of Travel Leaders Leisure Group, succeeding Tom Baumann. Lovell will lead both Travel Leaders Group divisions. Additionally, Kevin Weisner will return to Cruise Holidays International to once again lead the franchise organization. The moves are effective July 12.
In a statement Travel Leaders Group CEO Barry Liben said: “Today, I am announcing a realignment of Travel Leaders Group’s senior leadership around our cruise focus. While Travel Leaders Leisure Group will remain its own division, we are consolidating leadership under Vacation.com President John Lovell. As such, Tom Baumann will be departing Travel Leaders Leisure Group, effective July 12, 2013. On behalf of Travel Leaders Group’s entire executive team, I want to express my appreciation to Tom for his years of service to Travel Leaders Leisure Group and his work with you. We wish him nothing but success in the future."
“John Lovell has provided excellent leadership to Vacation.com members and suppliers alike.John’s travel industry credentials carry a solid record of achievement – particularly within the critical cruise segment. Thus, he is a natural to lead Travel Leaders Leisure Group division, which consists primarily of cruise-related brands. I have every confidence that John will lead both organizations seamlessly and exceedingly well," Liben said.
Travel Leaders Leisure Group has a portfolio of holdings concentrated on the cruise segment of the travel industry. Brands include All Aboard Travel, Cruise Deals, Cruise Holidays International, Cruise Specialists, Elite Journeys, Luxury Travel Network, SinglesCruise.com and wholly-owned Travel Leaders leisure locations.
In a message to Cruise Holidays International franchisees, Liben stated: “Despite the recent departure of Mark Schiffner from the helm of Cruise Holidays, we have never been more committed to serving you as we strive to exceed your expectations. In that spirit, it gives me enormous pleasure to announce that we’re tapping Kevin Weisner, a true Cruise Holidays veteran, to provide necessary expertise and leadership to your organization."
"As many of you know, Kevin is an innovative, analytical thinker who played an instrumental role in breathing new life into the Cruise Holidays brand after its near elimination in 2001. His exceptional skills over the past three and a half years leading our Cruise Deals unit, coupled with his past experience in Cruise Holidays, should be very welcome news," Liben said.
Weisner is returning to the leadership role for Cruise Holidays as Senior Vice President. He first served the brand in 2000 when it was part of ByeByeNOW.com and played an active role in Cruise Holidays until his departure in 2005. Most recently, Weisner has been serving as Vice President for two of Cruise Holidays’ sister brands, Cruise Deals and SinglesCruise.com.
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