Central Holidays today announced the promotion of tour operator veteran María José Merino “MJ” to the role of Vice President, Operations for the award-winning travel brand.

As Vice President of Operations, Merino will be responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of Central Holidays. She will work closely with the executive board and managers in Sales, Marketing, Reservations, as well as with CH Groups and luxury brand Journeys by CH to maintain the positive growth mode of Central Holidays. In addition, Merino will continue to manage business relations with suppliers and head up product development for the majority of the brand’s product lines.

“This promotion formalizes the roles and responsibilities that MJ has taken on throughout her time at Central Holidays,” said Tewfik Ghattas, SGI Board Member. “This key appointment underscores our commitment to furthering Central Holidays’ leadership position in providing a depth of knowledge, authentic and inspired affordable luxury experiential travel programs, and superior service that is unparalleled in the travel business.”

“I feel honored to continue expanding my duties with a company whose opportunities are truly limitless,” said Merino. “As Vice President of Operations, I will ensure that the pace on our initiatives will continue accelerating, producing more and more results of benefit to our travel agent partners, group planners, travelers, and staff as we move along.”

Merino brings more than two decades of experience in the travel industry to her new post. Before she joined Central Holidays in 2006, MJ worked for such acclaimed companies as Liberty Travel/GoGo Worldwide Vacations, Club ABC Tours, and Kleintours in Ecuador. Over her career Merino also furthered her academic background with advanced studies in Tourism from NYU School of Professional Studies.

Merino is based at the Central Holidays headquarters office in Moonachie, New Jersey.