Well-known travel business Destination Marketing Services has been sold to to the company’s General Manager, Marissa Fernandez.

Founder and former owner Leila Bishara said that her key priorities in selling the company were to ensure that the company’s future would be in safe hands, and ensure that whoever bought the company would have the same passion and commitment to it as she did for the past 21 years.

Founder and former owner Leila Bishara

Fernandez joined DMS in 2005 as director of sales from her previous roles with The AHL Group and Tourism Australia and was promoted to the role of general manager in 2008. Ms Fernandez is widely acknowledged for her operational expertise and her achievements in leading sales and the company’s drive for new business.

Marissa Fernandez is the new owner of DMS

Ms Bishara said that it was also vital to her that the new owner keep the DMS team in place and retain the confidence and loyalty of its network of overseas business partners, representing more than 60 destinations.

Bishara will stay connected to the business as a Strategic Consultant. Ms Fernandez took up her role as Managing Director of DMS on Tuesday this week.