“A renaissance for an industry I love”: Frank DeMarinis returns as president & CEO of Shoptravel Group

Frank DeMarinis has started a new position at Shoptravel Group Inc. as the company’s president and CEO. He shared the update on his LinkedIn page on Wednesday (Sept. 3).

He most recently served as CEO of H.I.S-Red Label Vacations – the parent company of TravelBrands – before stepping down in July 2023 to take a break.

Speaking with PAX at the time, DeMarinis clarified that he wasn’t officially retiring, but rather taking time to focus on his family and friends

“It’s been over three decades, and I haven’t been able to do that. I’m really looking forward to that opportunity,” he said.

“The travel industry is at a pivotal moment"

DeMarinis elaborated on his return to the industry in his LinkedIn post. 

“As some of you may know that I after three decades immersed in the travel industry, I stepped away for a much-needed sabbatical. This break allowed me the time to focus on my family, travel and experience the joy of becoming a grandparent,” he wrote Wednesday.

“I watched the industry evolve, stumble, and adapt through unprecedented challenges. I also saw extraordinary opportunities emerging, powered by cutting-edge technology, changing traveller expectations, and a growing demand for transparency and trust.”

“The travel industry is at a pivotal moment. Customers crave a better, smarter, and more personal way to explore the world. Additionally, agents want a more efficient way to run their business and build relationships with their customers. That insight is what has brought me back. Not to replicate the past, but to redefine the future.”

A "technology-forward company"

The co-founder of Belair Travel and Redtag.ca described Shoptravel Group as a “technology-forward company servicing the travel industry.”

“We are committed to delivering innovation, care, trust, and transparency throughout the travel experience,” he wrote, adding that his vision “requires great people and partnerships” – the kind of partners “who share our appetite for innovation, our commitment to customer and agent-first experiences, and our belief that the travel industry’s best days are ahead.”

DeMarinis went on to say that “this is more than a return for me.”

‘It’s a renaissance for an industry I love, and an opportunity for all of us to be part of something transformative from the ground up. The market is ready. The technology is here. The timing could not be better," he wrote. 

In a press release that was later issued, the company said it will deliver “cutting-edge innovation, transparency, and trust across the entire travel journey,” guided by a mission to "empower travellers to explore with confidence, while providing agents with powerful, technology-driven solutions to elevate their service and relationships.”

“More than a platform, Shoptravel is building a movement to modernize and transform the way travel is experienced by both travellers and the professionals who guide them,” the company said.

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