P. Jason King Associates Appoints EVP, Preparing for Industry Rebound

April 16, 2020 – Travel and hospitality unemployment fell by 459,000 in March. This employment decline nearly offset gains over the previous two years. While many companies within these sectors are not hiring as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds, one search firm that focuses on these industries sees an opportunity.

Skyland, NC-headquartered executive search firm P. Jason King Associates recently expanded with the addition of former Travel Impressions CEO Steven J. Gorga as executive vice president.


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“I have known Steve for quite some time and have worked very closely with him throughout much of his career,” said Jason King, president and CEO of the firm. “I know with his experience and wherewithal in the many sectors of the travel industry, he will be an asset to our company. Steve’s integrity, work ethic and professionalism mesh well with our distinctive blend of boutique services with broad national and global capabilities.”

“During this difficult period of our world and our industry, we all want to be prepared for the eventual rebound,” Mr. Gorga told Travel Weekly. “Additionally, the people side of business has always been my favorite and most satisfying part of my career. The global resources, systems and talent within P. Jason King Associates Inc. are extraordinary. I want to put these resources to great use to assist our industry to be ready for the explosive growth ultimately expected.”

Mr. Gorga has served in leadership roles in the travel and hospitality sector for more than 25 years. He formerly served as president and CEO of Tourism Holdings, a company focused on investing in and acquiring companies that serve the travel industry. Mr. Gorga was president and CEO of Travel Impressions from 2001 through 2013. He also spent 15 years in a number of key leadership roles at Sabre and American Airlines within AMR Corp.

“Steve’s reputation as a strong leader, coupled with his customer-centric leadership, will enable him to rise to the occasion in both our consulting and executive search divisions,” said Mr. King. “I have many plans for Steve including his heading up our consulting division and building our acquisitions and mergers (buying and selling) brokerage. He will also play an important role in our global executive search activities.”

Serving the Travel & Hospitality Industries

Established in 1975, P. Jason King Associates is a retained search firm exclusively dedicated to the travel and hospitality industries. The firm serves all 50 states and over 30 countries. Its emphasis is management, senior management and C-level executives.

P. Jason King Associates’ clients include: airlines, cruise lines, incentive houses, Fortune 500 corporate travel and meetings departments, tour operators, DMCs, tourism boards, travel agencies (Corp & Leisure), cruise only agencies, hotel chains & boutique hotels, motorcoach, limo companies, travel organizations and associations, travel credit cards, travel insurance and other related businesses.

Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor  – Hunt Scanlon Media

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