Capella Hotel Group has appointed Lauren Tesch as regional director of sales for Australia and New Zealand. The appointment strengthens its commercial leadership across two important luxury travel markets.
Based in Sydney, Tesch will focus on expanding relationships with travel partners and supporting the group’s regional sales activities. She will work with Capella Hotel Group properties, commercial teams and external partners across both countries.
Tesch brings more than 20 years of experience spanning luxury hospitality, aviation, travel, loyalty programmes and commercial partnerships. This varied background gives her insight into the relationships connecting luxury hotels with travellers, advisors and distribution partners.
The appointment signals Capella Hotel Group’s focus on building stronger connections within the premium travel sector. It also positions the business to identify commercial opportunities across Australia and New Zealand.
Experienced Leader Joins Capella Hotel Group
Tesch joins the role with extensive experience across supplier management, product development and strategic partnerships. Her career has covered several parts of the travel ecosystem, from airline loyalty to corporate travel services.
Before joining Capella Hotel Group, she served as commercial director for Asia-Pacific at The Appointment Group, also known as TAG. There, she led commercial strategy and managed supplier relationships across the region.
Her responsibilities required close engagement with travel companies and hospitality partners in different Asia-Pacific markets. This experience developed her understanding of regional sales conditions and the value of consistent industry collaboration.
Tesch also worked with Capella Hotel Group and its properties as a commercial partner during her time at TAG. Therefore, she enters the new position with existing knowledge of the company’s commercial approach and luxury portfolio.
That previous relationship should support continuity as she begins working with the group’s properties and regional teams. It also gives her insight into the expectations of partners selling premium hotel experiences.
Qantas Loyalty Experience Adds Commercial Depth
Earlier in her career, Tesch spent seven years with Qantas Loyalty. She managed strategic partnerships connected with the Qantas Frequent Flyer ecosystem during that period.
Her positions included senior product manager and commercial partnerships manager. These roles involved partnership development, product strategy and commercial initiatives within a major travel loyalty environment.
Loyalty programmes play an influential role in how travellers discover, assess and purchase premium travel experiences. Tesch’s experience in this area adds another perspective to her new hotel sales responsibilities.
She has also held product and commercial positions with Flight Centre Global Product. That work further expanded her experience in travel distribution, customer products and supplier relationships.
Together, these roles provide a broad commercial foundation for her leadership at Capella Hotel Group. They also reflect experience across several stages of the traveller journey.
Luxury Travel Partnerships Take Priority
In her new position, Tesch will strengthen Capella Hotel Group’s presence within the Australia and New Zealand luxury travel community. Building deeper relationships with industry partners will form a central part of the role.
Travel advisors and commercial partners remain important connections between luxury hotels and premium travellers. Stronger engagement can improve market visibility while helping hospitality brands understand changing customer expectations.
Luxury guests increasingly expect personalised service and carefully designed experiences throughout their journeys. As a result, commercial teams must communicate each property’s value clearly and consistently across the travel trade.
Tesch’s background across hospitality, aviation and loyalty places her in a strong position to support these connections. She will also help identify opportunities for revenue development and broader market engagement.
Her appointment reinforces the importance of specialised sales leadership within luxury hospitality. Hotels compete not only through accommodation, but also through service, experience and trusted industry relationships.
Regional Leadership Supports Hotel Market Growth
Australia and New Zealand represent sophisticated outbound and domestic travel markets with established demand for premium experiences. Effective regional leadership can help hotel groups maintain closer contact with partners serving those travellers.
Tesch will collaborate with internal commercial teams and portfolio properties to align regional activities. This approach can support more coordinated engagement with travel advisors, agencies and other industry stakeholders.
Her Sydney base also provides a strategic platform for maintaining relationships across the Australian market. Meanwhile, the wider regional mandate ensures that New Zealand remains part of the group’s commercial development plans.
The appointment does not simply add another senior sales position. It brings together expertise from luxury hospitality, airline loyalty, travel distribution and Asia-Pacific supplier management.
That combination can help Capella Hotel Group respond to the complex expectations surrounding high-value travel. It can also support more informed conversations with partners seeking distinctive luxury products for their clients.
Capella Builds Stronger Regional Connections
Tesch’s appointment marks a significant development for Capella Hotel Group’s commercial operations in Australia and New Zealand. Her cross-sector experience will guide the group’s engagement with the region’s luxury travel network.
As regional director of sales, she will focus on relationships that connect Capella properties with premium travellers. She will also support commercial opportunities designed to strengthen the company’s regional presence.
Ultimately, the appointment reflects Capella Hotel Group’s commitment to long-term partnership development. It also underlines the growing value of experienced leadership within the competitive luxury hospitality market.
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