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| Randy Garfield (right) at last November's U.S. Travel Association Hall of Travel Leaders induction ceremony. |
Randy Garfield, president of the Walt Disney Travel Company and executive vice president, worldwide sales and travel operations at Disney Destinations, has announced his retirement, effective April 1.
Garfield has spent 20 years with Disney, where he has been responsible for sales and distribution marketing for Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and Disney Vacation Club. He leads the Disney Institute, Disney Event Group, central reservations and special event/group sales for the Resorts, and works with Disney's Sports Enterprises. The U.S. Travel Association inducted Garfield into the U.S. Hall of Travel Leaders this past November.
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"Although I have elected to retire from full time work at Disney my intention is to stay involved in a few selected elements of our industry that have been critical to accomplishing my personal vision of travel’s role in economic development, public diplomacy and personal health," Garfield told Travel Agent. "Subsequent to my retirement and taking some time to unwind I will actually have more time to spend on the Board of Brand USA/Corporation For Travel Promotion to optimize its impact on our industry."
Before Disney, Garfield worked for TWA, Royal Viking Line and Universal Studios. For over 25 years, he has been a member of the U.S. Travel Association board of directors, of which he was the national chair in 1997.
"While Disney will ultimately appoint a new representative to the Board of US Travel, as a former chair of the association I plan to stay active on that Board and continue to co-chair the advisory team that is launching The Travel Effect which takes specific aim at converting the multitude of days off that American workers earn annually but leave unused," Garfield said. "Aside from that I will serve on the Board of Rocky Mountaineer and spend the majority of my time on family and fun."