Frank Yan Xu, with airline and travel company experience, joined as vp sales, while Helene Xu, with a hotel and cruise background, is vp marketing. Koray Savas was promoted from within SkySea to vp hotel operations. Hotel professionals Hans Hao became director, pricing and revenue management, while Kelvin Jin is director, on-board revenue. And Sonny Sun, with experience from various Shanghai companies, will start in August as director, human resources.
Sales vp Yan Xu most recently was with Mahan Airlines, where he served as commercial director for China, responsible for the overall sales, marketing and revenue strategy, working with traditional travel agencies, online travel agencies and corporate clients, while leading and developing his sales team. Prior to Mahan Airlines, he held a variety of sales positions including sales director for ADP China, director of sales and marketing for Carlson Wagonlit, China head of sales for Expedia and senior business development manager for American Express, China southern region.
Marketing vp Xu most recently served as vp marketing for Wyndham Hotel Group Greater China. She was responsible for brand marketing, marketing strategy and budget management, public relations and e-distribution for more than 10 brands, from the economy to upscale segments. Before Wyndam, Xu was marketing director for Costa Crociere, achieving product placement in the movie 'If You Are the One,' cross-border marketing with Tsingtao Beer and China's first world cruise (86 days). Previously, she worked for Accor Services, Group SEB and CITEL in roles including marketing, human resources and business development.
VP hotel operations Savas, with 23 years of hospitality experience—15 of those in the cruise sector—has been with SkySea since its inception and served as the start-up food and beverage project director. Following the launch of SkySea Golden Era in May 2015, he worked on board as F&B director and hotel director, helping build a brand that's known for its food and service quality. Savas recently joined SkySea’s shoreside team to run all aspects of hotel operations.
Pricing and revenue management director Hao most recently served as gm sales and marketing at Tujia, developing the non-vacation rental industry revenue management methodology and leading sales and marketing efforts. From 2012 to 2016, he headed revenue management and distribution at Wanda Hotels and Resorts Co. as part of the start-up team. At the start of his career he was selected to join Starwood Hotel and Resorts' management trainee program and gained cross-functional exposure in Singapore, Bangkok and Beijing, and quickly grew to become director of revenue management.
Jin, on-board revenue director, previously worked as director of operations (greater China) for Barceló Hotel Group. He joined the graduate trainee program of Hilton UK after completing his master's degree in tourism management in 2004. Previous work experience in hotel operations took him to the UK, Netherlands, Germany and Egypt. Jin joined Radisson Hotels in Canada as director of operations in 2011 and in 2014 he signed on with Executive Hotel Group Canada as regional director of revenue and brand reputation for western North America.
Human resources director Sun is an HR veteran, previously working for ABeam Global Development Center, Shanghai Wecosmos Software Co. Shanghai Huahong Group and other well-known enterprises in Shanghai. Known as a team leader, he has a track record of supporting strategic growth in HR with a focus on personal development and performance management programs, executive leadership training and ongoing training and development for all employees.
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