Kirsi Paakkari (MSc. Econ), has been appointed Managing Director of Finland Travel Bureau (FTB), a leading Finnish travel agency, as of August 1, 2012. Prior to this Paakkari has headed the Customer Relationship Management business in Itella Mail Communications division. She has extensive experience in sales and marketing in hotel and telecommunications industries as well as in management consulting.
FTB’s current managing director Jaana Tammisto, who has headed FTB for four and a half years, leaves the company on her own initiative. During her time as managing director FTB has implemented significant structural changes. The leisure business was sold to Aurinkomatkat and FTB focused solely on business travel. A year ago FTB became the exclusive representative of the globally operating American Express Business Travel chain in Finland and the Baltic countries. FTB has sought cost efficiencies by increasing the use of automation and online-services.
“During my leadership period at FTB the industry has been through much turmoil,” says Tammisto. “I believe this is the right time to hand over the reins. Our operational result returned clearly positive last year after the recession in business travel market, and now the new managing director can lead FTB to new growth. My own future plans are still open”, confirms Jaana Tammisto who has a long background in travel.
“I look forward to returning to the travel business, where I started my working career more than 20 years ago,” says Paakkari. “FTB is a great Finnish brand, and it is an honor to be able to contribute to its future development. The industry turmoil is not over yet, and there will certainly be challenges in the future. I believe my versatile experience from different change projects gives me a solid foundation for leading FTB toward new growth.”
FTB is a leading Finnish business travel agency and a part of Finnair Group. FTB employs 140 employees and operates in Finland and also in the Baltic countries through its subsidiary Estravel.
For more information: Kaisa Vikkula, Chairman of the Board of FTB. tel +35840 548 3554 and Kirsi Paakkari, tel. +358 50 382 2025