Meet The TeaM

Meet our team of travel industry experts
1
Dhanushka Thenabadu
Head of Sales & Marketing – Indian Ocean
Kristína Oravec
Kristína Oravec
Assistant Manager Sales & Marketing
KatieDaniel
Katie Daniels
Global Sales Director
3
Malinda De Silva
Assistant Operations Manager
Chirath
Chirath Perera
Accountant
Daniel Santiago-Díaz
Daniel Santiago-Díaz
Sales Representative - North America
NajuaG
Najuva Gafoor
Reservations Executive
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Dhanushka Thenabadu
Head of Sales & Marketing – Indian Ocean


Favourite quote:  Veni, Vidi, Vici

Favourite destination: Himalayas - Nepal  

Tell us about your background - how did you get into the industry? Out of pure jealousy! A few of my close friends are in the industry and they were all enjoying the benefits the travel industry offers... so I pestered them long enough for me to get an opportunity to work alongside them. I've never looked back!

Describe your job in three words: ‘Right Hand Man’ – Self Proclaimed

Best thing about being part of the Koveli team? The exposure you get from being a part of a startup is invaluable and seeing the impact of your work regardless of how small it is, is rewarding.  

How do you take your coffee?  Latte for me please!

What are your next travel plans?  Mount Killimanjaro or Mount Fiji during cherry blossom season.

 

Kristína Oravec
Kristína Oravec
Assistant Manager Sales & Marketing


Favourite quote: "Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own." Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

Favourite destination: There are so many beautiful places in this world that it is hard to choose just one. Each country, each place has its unique vibe, atmosphere and people who add to our experience. My favorite destinations would be Morocco, Netherlands and last but not least my homes Slovakia and Maldives.

Tell us about your background - how did you get into the industry? My life was always about traveling. I had a chance to live abroad since I have been 17 years old. I had always thought that the corporate life would make me happy because that is where I could use my languages, interest in math (yes, it was my favorite subject back in the school) and travel the world. This has influenced my choices about my career path which I wanted to follow. However, already during my university I took seasonal jobs for travel agencies and hotels, where I have realized that I might not be the office 9-5 person so after graduating from master's, the decision where I want to go was pretty easy. Consultancy in travel is as important as much as it is in any other industry, ultimately because we all travel on vacation at some point.

Describe your job in three words:  I call it 3Cs - being creative, connecting and customer-oriented

Best thing about being part of the Koveli team? The warming feeling when you receive good feedback from your clients about how they enjoyed their vacation. Holiday stands for escape from the reality. Being part of it, even if in virtual form make me feel better that I am able to help people. Moreover, I am able to combine two things which I like the most, traveling and sharing my experience to advice others. 

How do you take your coffee? Always with milk. I joke I drink milk with coffee and not coffee with milk.

What are your next travel plans? Going home to Slovakia to see my parents.

KatieDaniel
Katie Daniels
Global Sales Director


Favourite quote: "The world is a book, and those who do not travel only read one page."

Favourite destination: Apart from being lucky enough to visit some of the stunning islands in the Maldives, I also love going on an adventure, so Canada is probably my favourite so far!

Tell us about your background - how did you get into the industry?
I have spent 16 years working within the UK travel industry, mainly for several luxury tour operators. I began in reservations, which gave me a chance to learn about the destinations, travel around the world and visit some amazing places. Since then, my focus has been working with the wider industry, in sales, account management and marketing, representing the businesses I have worked for. This involves creating commercial relationships to develop business and building relationships to grow sales as well as managing the teams within the business

Describe your job in three words: Diverse, exciting, and rewarding

Best thing about being part of the Koveli team?
At Koveli Travel, we all have the same goal - to provide the travel industry with a seamless and high level of service. We have an exciting future globally, and to be part of this with the team is so exciting.

How do you take your coffee? I wish I liked coffee, but I’d rather a nice cold drink instead!

What are your next travel plans?  We have a new baby, so our plan is to show him as much of the world as we can. We are regulars to the Greek islands as we have family there so will be visiting them, and also plan to explore some of the family friendly resorts in the Maldives as well. We may even be able to squeeze in a trip to Mexico too.

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Malinda De Silva
Assistant Operations Manager


Favourite quote: “If you don’t have any enemies in your life, you have not stood up for anything”

Favourite destination: Amongst the ones visited, Australia tops the list.

Tell us about your background - how did you get into the industry? I started as an accounting personnel for a Sri Lankan Travel agency, and later had the opportunity to be a part of the opening of the Maldives office where I really found my interest to pursue in the hospitality industry.

Describe your job in three words: Opportunity, challenge and excited.

Best thing about being part of the Koveli team? The feeling of been a part of something that would be known globally and to have done it with a team who looks only at progress, is promising.

How do you take your coffee? With a touch of milk and sugar.

What are your next travel plans? I am planning to Visit Philippines and Vietnam soon! 

Chirath
Chirath Perera
Accountant


Favourite quote: "If your dreams don’t scare you they are too small" – Richard Branson

Favourite destination:  New Zealand

Tell us about your background - how did you get into the industry?
I've always loved numbers and really enjoyed my degree, so I obviously knew this was the path for me since I was young. I started my career in public accounting with a Big Four firm in audit. Audit allowed me the opportunity to work with clients of all sizes and industries. While my experience has ranged across tourism and hospitality, manufacturing, and financial services, I found myself most interested in the tourism and hospitality sector and became one of the youngest accountants in the Maldives.

Describe your job in three words: Counting, Analise, Communicate

Best thing about being part of the Koveli team?
Everyone is so helpful and willing to be a resource

How do you take your coffee? Cappuccino Everywhere !!! Anytime!!!

What are your next travel plans?  Always Sri Lanka, where my loved ones live

Daniel Santiago-Díaz
Daniel Santiago-Díaz
Sales Representative – North America


Favourite quote: "I know is that I know nothing" Socrates

Favourite destination: Saint Helena Island

Tell us about your background - how did you get into the industry?
I've been an independent sales representative in the travel industry for almost 15 years working with Tourist Boards as well as airfare consolidators. I love helping travel advisors create amazing itineraries for clients.

Describe your job in three words: Collaborative, fast-paced, rewarding

Best thing about being part of the Koveli team?
Love working with a team that is absolutely committed to our goal. The product/service we are offering is absolutely fantastic, so it's also not difficult to entice clients to book with us, and that helps a lot!

How do you take your coffee? Black + 2 Stevia

What are your next travel plans?  A European tour with my parents but still on the works!

NajuaG
Najuva Gafoor
Reservations Executive


Favourite quote: "Whatever we believe about ourselves & our ability, comes true for us."

Favourite destination: I haven't got to travel as much but among the places, I’ve been to; Dubai.

Tell us about your background - how did you get into the industry?
While working at my first job at a hospital's contact centre for over 7 months, I came across the opening for this job. I've always been enthusiastic about the tourism & hospitality industry, therefore this was the perfect opportunity to prosper in that field.

Describe your job in three words: Exciting, Opportunity & Reliable.

Best thing about being part of the Koveli team?
It is truly motivating to be part of such a fast-growing organization and work with the most driven team.

How do you take your coffee? Love any kind of coffee if it's not bitter or too strong.

What are your next travel plans?  Would love to visit New York or Singapore whenever I get a chance to.

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