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Olympic Holidays chief executive Clare Tobin to step down

Olympic Holidays chief executive Clare Tobin is to step down from her role in January.

She will remain with the company in a non-executive role.

Current director of sales and revenue Michael Vinales will become managing director.

Tobin joined Olympic three years ago as chief operating officer, before being promoted to chief executive six months later, taking over from George Michalias, who assumed the role of chairman.

Tobin has overseen the company’s commercial, operational and marketing activities, removed Olympic’s reliance on charter flying and focused on strengthening relationships with the trade through training and marketing support.


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Tobin said: “I was brought into the company just under three years ago to transform the business. This has now been successfully completed by working strategically with the team to become an island specialist.

“Our new island-hopping and bespoke holiday brochure and web presence has just released and I am delighted to now be able to pass on the Olympic flame to Michael Vinales who I brought in and worked very closely with over the last two years.”

Vinales, who joined Olympic two years ago, has worked in the industry for more than 35 years, including as managing director of Avro and commercial director of Cosmos.

Michalias said: “When Clare joined Olympic Holidays, there was no doubt that her tenacious but inclusive approach would be an enormous asset to the business.

“That decision was right and after three years at the helm, Clare has led the transformation the business and I am delighted that Michael will continue with all the good work undertaken to continue moving the business in this strong strategic direction.”

Tobin added: “The last three years have been challenging but hugely rewarding and I am now looking forward to helping Olympic Holidays retain, and further advance, its strong position in the competitive travel marketplace.”

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