Travel Industry News - Appointments

Google is working on a social service to rival Facebook, if Web rumors are to be believed. And while Google's social-networking efforts have so far fallen flat, even satisfied Facebook users should hope that the search engine's efforts bear fruit. - More

Orbitz Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: OWW) today announced that it has named Chris Orton as the company's next chief marketing officer, effective immediately. Chris joins Orbitz Worldwide from eBay, Inc., where he served as senior director of Internet marketing. - More

Ms Petra Hedorfer, CEO of the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) was unanimously elected President of the European Travel Commission at the organisation’s 78th General Meeting in Brussels on 10 June. Ms Hedorfer succeeds Mr Arthur Oberascher of Austria for a three-year term. - More

Orbitz Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: OWW) today announced the planned retirement of Chief Financial Officer Marsha Williams. The company will be initiating a search for a successor. - More

Company Strengthens Commitment to Hospitality Industry - More

Travelport, one of the world's largest global distribution system (GDS) providers and operators of the Apollo, Galileo and Worldspan platforms, has promoted Hiroshi Shimizu to Worldspan's Commercial Head in Japan, South Korea and Guam. The promotion takes effect immediately. - More

Stephen P. Joyce, President and Chief Executive Officer of Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) has been named National Chairman of the U.S. Travel Association, the 1,500-member national organization representing every segment of the travel community. - More

New York City hospitality veteran, Brian Kotula, joins Travel Tripper’s growing sales team. - More

NTA Secretary/Treasurer Nick Calderazzo of RMP Travel has been appointed to the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, which serves to advise and develop plans for the Obama administration on issues of travel and tourism. - More

KesselRun Corporate Travel Solutions has deepened its ability to manage and optimize corporate travel programs with the addition of Dee Runyan as a Senior Partner. - More