"A rewarding journey": DeMarinis steps down from TravelBrands, RLV, Merit Travel; Tanious takes helm

This story was updated on Thursday, June 22 at 9:21 a.m. EST.

Frank DeMarinis, president and CEO at Red Label Vacations, TravelBrands and Merit Travel, is stepping down from his role within the organization.  

This announcement was received Wednesday (June 21) via email from H.I.S. Japan on behalf of TravelBrands, Red Label Vacations and Merit Travel.

"Frank has been an important figure in the Canadian travel industry for many years, and we are grateful for his contributions, leadership, and dedication to our company during his time with us," the announcement reads. 

TravelBrands parent company Red Label Vacations Inc. was acquired by a subsidiary of Japan-based H.I.S. Group in 2019.

At that time, DeMarinis stayed on as TravelBrands' president and CEO while Joe and Enzo DeMarinis stepped away from the company. 

In light of DeMarinis' departure, Nathalie Tanious, former COO, will assume the role of CEO as of July 21, 2023. 

The company stated: "Nathalie's outstanding leadership capabilities, in-depth industry knowledge, and commitment to our shared vision make her the perfect choice to lead us into the next phase of growth and innovation. We want to assure you that this transition will be seamless, and we remain fully committed to providing you with the exceptional service and support you have come to expect from us."

The notice says the teams at TravelBrands, Red Label Vacations, and Merit Travel stand united in its dedication to delivering outstanding travel experiences and forging strong partnerships with its valued stakeholders, partners, and clients. 

"A rewarding journey"

"I am immensely proud of what we have been able to do, and that is to serve and empower Canadian travellers, opening doors for them to see the world," DeMarinis told PAX in a statement on Thursday (June 22). "It has truly been a rewarding journey, and I am very grateful for the incredible memories and milestones. The time has come for me to write a new chapter, and I have full confidence in Nathalie's vision and her ability to lead the future growth of our organization." 

Tanious also provided a statement to PAX, saying that "Frank has left an indelible mark on the Canadian travel industry, leaving a remarkable legacy." 

"It is with great honour and privilege that I step into the role of CEO to build upon the strong foundation he has laid," Tanious said.  "I am committed to furthering this industry's success and sharing the immense joy that travel brings to the lives of so many Canadians. Together, we will raise the bar of what can be achieved and position ourselves for an exciting future ahead." 

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