Global travel conglomerate Travelport, has appointed CEOs for its newly combined Galileo/Worldspan operation and Orbitz Worldwide subsidiary. Travelport signed a merger deal that is still awaiting approval with travel technology provider, Worldspan, in December last year worth $1.4bn (”712.7m). Click here to read the full story.
Gordon Wilson (pictured left) is to head up the merged travel technology operation, having worked for Galileo since 1991 and served as CEO and president from January this year. Based in London, he is responsible for all of Galileo”s global activities as well as the integration of Worldspan once the deal is finalised. He will also oversee aiRes, Travelport”s hosting technology solution for next-generation airlines, as well as Shepherd Systems, a market intelligence provider.
Travelport CEO and president, Jeff Clarke, commented on the appointment: ”Gordon has been a driving force in the travel services industry for the past two decades and we are all very excited about the opportunities he will generate from the pending combination of Galileo and Worldspan.”
Orbitz Worldwide, the online travel agency and subsidiary company of Travelport, has also appointed a new president and CEO. Steve Barnhart (pictured below) gains the promotion after just seven months as the company”s chief financial officer (CFO). He joined the company shortly after its launch in 2003 and has served in his current position since September 2006.
The subsidiary organisation includes a global portfolio of brands, including Orbitz and CheapTickets in the Americas; ebookers and Travelbag in Europe; and HotelClub and RatestoGo, which are based in Australia but operate globally.
”The success of Orbitz Worldwide is a direct result of the company”s ability to attract, empower and retain great people and brilliant technologists,” said Barnhart. ”I”m honoured to continue to lead such an innovative and talented organisation.”