Mike Vroom has recently stepped into a new role at Newmark Hotels & Reserves as its Chief Operating Officer. The appointment will see Vroom working side by side with CEO of Newmark Hotels & Reserves, Neil Markovitz.

“Vroom’s long history with Newmark, his many career achievements and his ongoing commitment to operational excellence meant that he was front of mind when this new leadership position was created. As a respected and well-known leader in the hospitality sector, his proven record in leading business units to success aligns perfectly with Newmark’s vision for sustainable expansion,” said Markovitz.

Vroom brings more than 20 years of global leadership experience to the new role. After studying Hospitality Management at The International Hotel School, he began his career managing restaurants at several of Cape Town’s best hotels. He then moved to Johannesburg to take on a managerial role at The Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa.

In 2014 he joined Newmark Hotels & Reserves as Hotel Manager at The Queen Victoria Hotel. Two years later he headed to Dubai to open a new property which was voted ‘The World’s Leading New Hotel’ by World Travel Awards in 2017. Returning to South Africa in 2018, Vroom took on the role of Group Operations Manager for Newmark Hotels & Reserves. Two years ago, he was promoted to the key position of Executive Director of Africa for the group.

“Having grown up working in the hospitality industry and having been part of Newmark’s exceptional growth, I am delighted to have the opportunity to further engage in the strategic management of our global businesses. Newmark is a trusted name in the hospitality industry, known for operating properties in iconic African locations that celebrate their unique characteristics and individualism. Looking at our pipeline of growth for 2024 and beyond, which includes the addition of many new destinations and hotels, I am extremely excited to take on this new role,” said Vroom.

“As we move into 2024 some of my first tasks will be to identify ways for our businesses to embrace AI in a way that does not detract from our personal service levels. A key focus alongside our commercial drive will be to work with our integrated HR teams to attract more talent and to invest in the development of our people.

“This will be key to successfully growing each of our individual business units. Driving memorable and unique guest experiences will also be at the forefront as the hotel teams ensure we meet guest requirements and exceed client expectations by experimenting with innovative ideas and new avenues of thought,” he added.

New Head of Tourism Marketing for Tanzania in the UK

Tim Henshall has recently joined the team of Mbelwa Kairuki (Tanzania's High Commissioner to the UK), as the East African nation’s new Head of Tourism Marketing in the UK. 

He will work closely with the Tanzania Tourist Board (which is based in Dar es Salaam), as well as the Ministry of Tourism, Tanzania National Parks Authority, Tanzania Association of Tour Operators and the Hotel Association of Tanzania, seeking to increase tourism numbers from the UK.

Asked about his plans for the UK, Henshall said his initial tasks would include increasing trade knowledge, and in turn sales, for Tanzania's lesser known parks, as well as to maximise media coverage for a country he describes as having "an abundance of untold stories".

Henshall will be calling on his extensive industry knowledge in this newly created role. For the past 18 years, he was Chief Executive of Kamageo, an Africa-dedicated destination marketing agency that he founded in 2006. Kamageo has represented 12 African countries, including Zambia, Uganda, Malawi, Sierra Leone and Tanzania.

He has frequently visited Tanzania and Zanzibar, taking in the vast majority of the national parks and major tourist attractions along the way. 

Kairuki said: "Tourism remains a key driver of economic growth in Tanzania and Zanzibar. This high-profile new role emphasises our commitment to tourism and to the UK in particular.”

Kelly-Maartens joins Matetsi Victoria Falls

Family-owned and independently run Matetsi Victoria Falls recently welcomed Lianne Kelly-Maartens as Director of Sales & Marketing.

Kelly-Maartens worked with Sun International for many years, before working with We Are Africa, and then The Cape Grace for over four years.

Cape Town-based, Kelly-Maartens leads Matetsi’s in-house sales and reservations team. Together with the team on property, they focus on creating excellent experiences for guests, from time of booking, during their stay and after departure, while conserving vast areas of pristine wilderness.

Kelly-Maartens’ appointment is the culmination of a project spearheaded by Acting MD, Sandy Pollard, to build an exceptionally strong leadership team.