Olympic Holidays MD Michael Vinales departs after seven years

Olympic Holidays managing director Michael Vinales has left the company after seven years.

Staff were informed of his departure by chairman George Michalias on Wednesday, December 4.

Vinales had been managing director of the Greece and Cyprus specialist operator since January 2020, having previously been director of sales and revenue between November 2017 and December 2019.

He said: “I’ve had a wonderful seven years at Olympic holidays with a fantastic team alongside me but it’s time for a new challenge and I’m looking forward to finding another role in travel in the new year.”

In a message to staff, Michalias praised Vinales’ contributions to the company and his leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic as he confirmed he had left to pursue other opportunities.

He added: “I would like to thank Michael for all his hard work and dedication,” and “wished him every success in his future endeavours”.

A spokesperson for Olympic Holidays confirmed to Travel Weekly that Vinales is “moving on to pursue new opportunities”. An announcement will be made “shortly” about his replacement, added the spokesperson.

Vinales has more than 40 years’ experience in the travel industry.

He was product and commercial director at Cosmos, Archers and Avalon Waterways from October 2015-June 2017, having previously been responsible for the Avro business and commercial and aviation functions at Cosmos Holidays and Monarch Travel Group for more than a decade.

He was also product management director at TV Travel Shop, head of yield management at Thomas Cook’s tour operation and product director at Sunworld.

Photo: Michael Vinales/LinkedIn