Virtuoso has announced the appointment of three new executives who will support the network’s international growth strategy, while also furthering its longstanding commitment to sustainable tourism.
Javier Arredondo has been named vice president, sustainability for the purpose of advancing Virtuoso’s mission to make sustainability a greater factor in consumer choice when planning travel. Serving Virtuoso’s sustainability community, including Virtuoso members and partners, and its Sustainability Council, Arredondo will be collaborating with Virtuoso’s senior leadership, including Jessica Hall Upchurch, Virtuoso vice-chair and sustainability strategist, besides internal teams to develop and implement programs and services addressing sustainability.
Arredondo has been part of the Virtuoso organization as general manager, Latin America and the Caribbean for the past two years. Prior to that, he spent 20 years as the founder and CEO of Travesias Media, where he served as Virtuoso’s Latin America publishing partner for many years. Arredondo will continue to work from Virtuoso’s Mexico City office and report to Hall Upchurch and Brad Bourland, chief operating officer.
Additionally, Virtuoso has named two new seasoned executives to regional general manager senior leadership positions. Maria Bea Sajon was named general manager, Latin America and the Caribbean on February 6 and Hanna Hinz joins the organization in a newly created role as general manager, Continental Europe starting February 20. Besides the existing network of regional general managers, both new executives will be responsible for driving Virtuoso’s development in their respective markets. Each will lead local teams focused on delivering the value of the network to the group’s travel agency members and partners.
Sajon’s appointment continues Virtuoso’s more than 20-year presence within Latin America, where it has over 100 travel agency member locations spanning 19 countries. She will leverage her extensive experience in the Latin markets to manage teams in Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires and Mexico City, where she will be based.
Hinz’s appointment signals the creation of a Continental Europe region within what was formerly the network’s EMEA division. Hinz, who has an extensive luxury travel background within Europe, will now focus on the creation of a distinct business focus that is separate from the U.K., Middle East and Africa. With previous experience at both a Virtuoso travel agency and preferred hotel, Hinz is well placed to ensure the Virtuoso value proposition increases for the network’s agency members and partners across the many European markets. She will be based in Berlin.
Karen Joyce continues with the organization as general manager for the U.K. and Ireland, allowing for greater focus and increased responsiveness to each of these key markets. As part of Virtuoso’s global team, both Sajon and Hinz will report to Michael Londregan, SVP of global operations.
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