TripAdvisor Appoints MD
MAY 22, 2006. TripAdvisor is appointing Marc Charron as managing director Europe. In this newly created position, he will lead TripAdvisor's rollout of dedicated local language sites and manage operations across Europe.
Of TripAdvisor's more than 20 million monthly* visitors, nearly 25 percent are from Europe. TripAdvisor soft-launched sites for the UK, Germany, Spain, France and Italy in December 2005. Tripadvisor.co.uk was formally launched in January 2006 with the other local European domains expected to follow shortly.
Charron, who will be based in London, has a broad background running European internet travel and e-commerce businesses and has spent eight years in the travel industry. "We are thrilled to have found a seasoned business mind in Marc Charron, who brings extensive experience running travel and e-commerce businesses across Europe," said Steve Kaufer, CEO of TripAdvisor. "We already have a strong foothold in Europe, and with Marc's leadership we are certain to rapidly and dramatically grow the business and extend our leadership position."
Charron added, "TripAdvisor members in Europe have always contributed hugely to the vital community that has made TripAdvisor.com such an important resource for travellers worldwide. I look forward to building our European sites country by country, tailoring the TripAdvisor experience to local needs and expectations, and making our wealth of reviews and travellers' advice available to the widest possible audience."
Charron was most recently vice president of product marketing with Squaretrade, Inc. in San Francisco. Prior to that, he was based in London as Managing Director of QXL (1998-2002), Getz International Travel (1996-98) and Danube Travel (1994-96.) Charron started his travel career in 1991 with Carlson Travel in Vienna.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
