Olympic Holidays MD Michael Vinales leaves business after seven years

Vinales – who joined the tour operator in November 2017 as director of sales and marketing before being promoted to managing director in January 2020 – said he was leaving to pursue other opportunities.

In an email to staff, Olympic Holidays chair George Michalias thanked Vinales for “dedicating himself to leading the team with passion and commitment” and for his “invaluable contributions”.

A travel veteran with more than 43 years’ experience, Vinales has held a variety of positions in the industry.

UPDATE: Michael Vinales hints at new travel industry role following Olympic Holidays departure

He was product and commercial director at Cosmos, Archers and Avalon Waterways from October 2015 to June 2017.

Prior to that, Vinales was responsible for the Avro business and commercial and aviation functions at Cosmos Holidays and Monarch Travel Group for 11 and a half years. 

Olympic said Vinales’s replacement will be announced in due course.