Ovation Travel Group Investing in the Leisure and Independent and Affiliate Space, Appoints Gina Gabbard as SVP of Leisure and Independent Advisors
Strategic appointment of Gina Gabbard as SVP of Leisure and Independent Advisors strengthens Ovation's foothold in the luxury independent travel advisor and affiliate market.
NEW YORK, July 2, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Ovation Travel Group, one of the largest independently owned travel management companies headquartered in the U.S., today announced the appointment of Gina Gabbard to the role of Senior Vice President of Leisure and Independent Advisors, a new position within Ovation.
In her role, Gina will manage the resources which support Ovation's growing network of independent travel advisors as well as the leisure sales generated through its business division. She will report to Sunil Mahtani, one of the agency's partners.
Gina is an established luxury travel professional with over 20 years' industry experience, most recently as Vice President of Leisure Sales & Marketing at Tzell Travel Group where she was directly responsible for the strategic development of independent advisors and that agency's leisure division, including sales and marketing strategy. Together with Ovation's recognized leadership among all top luxury suppliers and its historically long membership in Virtuoso, Gina is perfectly positioned to bring Ovation to new heights.
"Gina is going to be a vital resource for Ovation as we continue to grow our successful U.S. independent travel advisor and affiliate programs," said Paul Metselaar, Chairman and CEO of Ovation. "With the recent acquisition of Chartwell Travel in the UK, Ovation's first wholly-owned location outside the U.S. and significant investments we are undertaking in terms of internal resources and technology, Gina will be able to leverage Ovation's comprehensive corporate and leisure travel infrastructure and technology to reinforce Ovation's position as one of the leading, and most sought-after, independent agent host travel agencies. We are investing at every level to maximize benefits for Ovation's independent advisors assisting them in building their businesses."
Jack Ezon, President of Ovation's leisure travel division, Ovation Vacations, will be transitioning roles to exclusively manage his own unique luxury leisure business within the Ovation family. In the search for someone to replace him, Jack stated, "Gina is a long-term industry veteran and one of the most respected people in our industry. I cannot think of anyone more qualified and passionate to take my place in leading Ovation's growing luxury leisure and independent affiliate network."
On joining Ovation, Gina stated, "I am thrilled to join the Ovation team and to leverage my experience, further securing Ovation's strong position in the leisure and independent advisor space. We have exciting plans to strengthen and grow the benefits, infrastructure, technology and scope of offerings at Ovation, and I look forward to leading the charge."
About Ovation
Ovation Travel Group, whose flagship brand, Lawyers Travel, began operations almost 35 years ago, is one of the largest independently owned travel companies headquartered in the U.S. Ovation is a $1.1 billion travel management company with travel consultants in more than 30 locations throughout the United States and the United Kingdom. Ovation is the largest affiliate of BCD Travel and utilizes BCD's global network to fulfill its clients' travel programs across the globe. With over 600 employees and over 200 independent travel advisors, Ovation provides business travel services, bespoke luxury travel experiences and meeting and special events planning for over 700 professional organizations and over 200,000 travelers.
SOURCE Ovation Travel Group, Inc.
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