Who’s Where in Travel: New at Ensemble, Carnival Mardi Gras and More

Lindsay Pearlman’s decision to leave Ensemble Travel Group is the latest major executive move this week in the travel industry. 

This week Ensemble announced that Pearlman, who had served as its co-president since 2011, is leaving the company. David Harris, who was appointed to a new CEO role earlier this year, and Ensemble President Libbie Rice, will handle all management responsibilities and running the global operations for Ensemble Travel Group going forward. 

In cruise news, Carnival Cruise Line announced the cruise director and entertainment director for the line’s newest ship, the Mardi Gras, which is set to launch in 2020. Matt Mitcham and Hugo Hidalgo, both of whom are Carnival veterans, will serve as cruise director and entertainment director, respectively. 

Crystal Expedition Cruises announced that Captain Thomas Larsen will serve as master of the Crystal Endeavor, which will embark on its inaugural voyage in August 2020. Captain Larsen’s nautical experience spans the cargo industry, Swedish Royal Navy, private superyachts, and numerous cruise ships. He joined Crystal in 2016 as captain of Crystal Esprit before moving to Crystal Symphony, where he currently serves as captain.

Hurtigruten expanded its Americas sales team with three new appointments. The line named Jacqueline Day as director of host agencies and strategic accounts to lead the Seattle regional headquarters out of California. Cheryl Gatto and German Jones also joined the line as sales director, Midwest and sales director, South America and Florida, respectively. 

In hotel news, Four Seasons Resorts Hawaii appointed Shane Namkung Hara its senior regional sales manager, representing Four Seasons Resort Hualālai, Four Seasons Resort Maui, and Four Seasons Resort Oahu. She will be based in Los Angeles.

A number of individual properties also made new leadership appointments this week:

The Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington, DC, named Ernie Arias its director of sales and marketing. 
Sausalito’s Casa Madrona appointed Pat Sorber as GM.
One&Only announced the appointment of Michele Giraudo as the GM of One&Only Portonovi in Montenegro.
Dream Hotel Group announced Kevin Croke has been appointed GM of Tideline Ocean Resort & Spa in Palm Beach, Florida.
Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve named Becky Colbert its market director of group account sales.
The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas welcomed Akis Neocleous as its new GM.
Chicago’s The Ivy Hotel named Wayne Leming as Chicago regional director of operations.
Shelley Meszoly was named GM of 21c Museum Hotel Cincinnati.

Finally, in destination news, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau (GFLCVB) named Kara Franker its SVP of marketing and communications, effective immediately. Prior to joining the GFLCVB, she founded and led her own communications and marketing firm; she is also a seasoned journalist featured as a Florida expert for Coastal Living, Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, Travel Channel, Travelocity, Orbitz, HGTV, Huffington Post and more. Additionally, she simultaneously serves as editor-in-chief of two luxury lifestyle print magazines for the Modern Luxury network of publications, including Modern Luxury Weddings South Florida and The Caribbean and Modern Luxury Interiors South Florida.

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