Northstar

PEOPLE www.travelweeklyweb.com Rudolf Tröstler – One of Hilton's assets PATTAYA – Rudolf Tröstler has been appointed as the new general manager of Hilton Pattaya. In this role, he will oversee hotel operations and lead the team in delivering upscale quality and exceptional guest experiences at this awardwinning property. "Tröstler is one of Hilton Worldwide's great assets due to his outstanding successful track record and strong network in Austria, Australia, United Kingdom and Asia. His passion for people and his in-depth global hospitality knowledge will continue to drive Hilton Pattaya's aim to be the hotel of choice for both business and leisure travelers. Under his guidance, we are confident that the hotel will continue to cement its upscale position as one of Asia's top hotels," said Dirk De Cuyper, regional general manager – Thailand, Hilton Worldwide. Originally from Austria, Tröstler has spent his professional life working in hospitality in far-flung destinations, from the UK to Australia and various parts of Asia for more than 20 years in food & beverage, finance and operations. Prior to joining Hilton Pattaya, he was general manager at Hilton Colombo in Sri Lanka. "I am keen to take forward the achievement of this stunning 302-room property, and will continue to work with Hilton Pattaya's team to maintain the hotel's popularity among local and international travelers," said Tröstler. Hilton Pattaya is one of Hilton Worldwide's managed properties in Thailand that offers stunning guest rooms set in the heart of the city overlooking Pattaya Beach and the Bay, perched atop Southeast Asia's largest beachfront shopping complex, CentralFestival Pattaya Beach. Hilton Worldwide manages eight other properties in Thailand including: Conrad Bangkok, Millennium Hilton Bangkok, Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa, Conrad Koh Samui, Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa, DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Phuket – Surin Beach and the recently opened DoubleTree by Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok and Hilton Sukhumvit. It will open Waldorf Astoria Bangkok in 2015. Etihad appoints two GMs for Southeast Asia SINGAPORE – Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, is supporting its growth in the ASEAN region with the appointment of two new general managers in Singapore and Malaysia. Jeffrey Lim takes on the role of general manager, Singapore following three years as Etihad Airways' GM for Malaysia. A Singaporean national, Lim takes on the role following the retirement of industry veteran Michael Tan who held this key position in the airline's Asia Pacific commercial organisation for the past six years. David Walsh succeeds Jeffrey Lim in the role of GM, Malaysia. Walsh moves to the Kuala Lumpur-based role from Dublin where he was Etihad Airways' GM, Ireland for the past year. Both executives report to Lindsay White, the airline's Sydney-based vice-president, www.travelweeklyweb.com Asia Pacific South and Australasia. Etihad Airways' chief commercial officer, Peter Baumgartner, said the appointments ensure the airline's continuing expansion and progress in the ASEAN region. "Singapore and Malaysia are both fast-growing markets for Etihad Airways. This year, for example, we have grown our seat factor on the Kuala LumpurAbu Dhabi route by over 20 per cent and increased frequency on the busy Singapore to Brisbane and Abu Dhabi routes from three flights a week to a daily operation. "Jeffrey and David have delivered strong passenger numbers and revenue growth for Etihad Airways in their previous positions and we are pleased to appoint them to new roles in these two key markets. "On behalf of the airline's executive team, I'd also like to Jeffrey Lim Dave Walsh pay tribute to Michael Tan for the outstanding contribution he has made to Etihad Airways' success in the fiercely competitive Singapore travel market over the past six years. We wish him and his family all the best." Lim and Walsh each have approximately two decades of experience in the global aviation and travel industries. In addition to his role as GM for Malaysia, Lim managed the start-up of the airline's Chengdu and Shanghai operations as the airline's acting GM China, based part-time in Beijing. He has also held management roles at Air France-KLM, Gulf Air and Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore. Walsh has a strong background in airline sales and management and has held key positions at bmi, Travelport and Galileo in Ireland. DECEMBER 2013 | TRAVELWEEKLY ASIA ■ | 7

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