Destination Asia, has announced new key management positions James (Jim) Reed, formerly CEO and one of the founders of Destination Asia Group, has been appointed executive chairman and Monique Arnoux joins as CEO. 

Jim was instrumental in expanding the Destination Asia Group, initially with a footprint in just two countries and 18 staff in 1996 to its current 11 country pan-Asia network with over 600 highly skilled staff and 29 operating offices. From 1991 to 1996, Jim was the Group Managing Director of Tour East, based in Bangkok, and prior to that (1988 – 1991) he was the Director of Sales and Marketing at the Island Shangri-la hotel in Hong Kong.

“I am honoured to continue my long history with Destination Asia, a business that is personally close to my heart. We not only strive to achieve maximum profitability for our shareholders, but we also nurture a work environment that develops exceptional travel experiences – every day of the year“, he said.

Monique has held a variety of senior management roles in the travel industry. She joins Destination Asia from the Destination Management division of Hotelbeds Group where she was global sales and marketing director based in Bangkok. Prior to her 10 years at Hotelbeds Group, Monique was the director / head of FIT at Pacific World based in Hong Kong, and before that was the head of hotels and strategic development with Hutchinson – Priceline. She has also worked as regional manager and business development manager at the Marriott International Asia Pacific regional office in the JW Marriott hotel Hong Kong.

Monique described her appointment; “Being part of a pioneering company such as Destination Asia Group is very exciting, and I look forward to the prospect of joining a dynamic, forward-thinking team. I believe that the travel business will be one of the leading growth engines of international commerce and it is a thrill to be part of its evolution.”