Appointments

 Lee-Ann
Benney,
has been
appointed
new gm of
Protea Hotel
by Marriott
Roodepoort.
Lee-Ann joined Protea
Hotels straight from
school, and spent three
years in the training
programme where she
received a qualification
from the University of
Johannesburg.
Lee-Ann has been with
Protea Hotels by Marriott
for over 15 years. “It
is exciting to be part of
this leading hospitality
organisation at a time
when tourism is on the
rise both globally and in
South Africa,” said
Lee-Ann.
 Wendy Wu Tours md,
Laurence Hicks, has
decided to step down.
Laurence, who re-joined
Wendy Wu Tours five years
ago, will stay on until
March 20 and will then
undertake some special
projects for the business
until April 20. “I appreciate
that this news will come
as a complete surprise
to you all but I feel it is
both in the company’s
best commercial interest
and my personal interest,”
he said. Group ceo, Joe
Karbo, will be acting md
for UK in the interim.
“The business will look
for an md with a great
track record in online
business over the
coming months,” said the
company’s founder and
chair, Wendy Wu.
 Cruises International
has made changes to its
groups and incentives
department. Dalene
Oroni, who headed up
the department, resigned
earlier this
year. The
department is
now managed
by Michele
Hermanns
(pictured right)
and Lizaan
Schnettler
(below).
Cruises
International
has also
appointed
Sandra Burger
as the company’s new
financial manager from
February.
 Lauren Kemp has
been appointed business
development manager of
TEAM Global Sports, a
division of Tourvest, from
March 1. Lauren began
in the TEAM division as
project manager for the
2010 World Cup before
moving to marketing and
communications manager
of Tourvest Destination
Management. In her new
role she will focus on
customer relationship
management, development
and research of new
product and manage the
digital marketing.
 Rob and Ingrid Baas
are the new gms of Bisate
Lodge, due to open in
Rwanda on June 1. “With
their combined passion
and respect for Africa, its
people and wildlife, and
their extensive knowledge
of the hospitality industry,
we are looking forward to
having them at the helm of
this exciting new lodge and
pioneering conservation
project,” said Chris Roche,
Wilderness Safaris cmo.