The latest Asian appointments from Shangri-La, Travelport, Tourism NZ and more

OLIVER BONKE has been announced as Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts’ new president & chief operating officer, effective 1 September. Bonke has nearly 30 years of experience, including spells with IHG and Starwood. Most recently he was chief commercial officer of New York-based Loews Hotels.

GREG WAFELBAKKER has been named as Tourism New Zealand’s new general manager for Asia. He joins the tourism board from Westland Milk Products, where he was based in Shanghai as GM for China and marketing. He has also previously worked in the US, Singapore, Thailand and Germany.

AILSA BROWN has been appointed to lead Travelport Digital, the travel technology company’s mobile development team, as vice president for Asia Pacific. She moves into the new role having previously led Travelport’s sales and commercial strategy in the region for many years.

FANG-XUN ONG has been named as the Singapore Tourism Board’s new senior manager for Oceania. Based in Sydney, she succeeds Cheryl Wen in managing the STB’s regional marketing portfolio. Ms Ong previously worked at the STB’s international marketing department in Singapore.

SAURABH KUKREJA has been appointed general manager of the Renaissance Pattaya Resort & Spa, which is on track to open in September. A UK national, Kukreja worked at The Savoy in London, before moving to Asia. Most recently he was GM of the Crimson Hotel Filinvest City in Manila.