Key Staff

Peter Trumic

CEO and Founder of Tourplan

Tourplan was founded by Peter in 1986 as a result of writing a program designed to handle group quotes across multiple pax ranges. He sensed its potential to support growth in tourism at a time when cheap computing was set to transform the industry. From that point Tourplan Version 1 started its journey towards becoming a commercial reality.

Since then Peter has travelled the world continuously, learning the industry, developing relationships with clients, and building the organisation of five offices and 60 people that make up today’s Tourplan team of experts.

Quality in everything, trust, and longevity of relationships have been the philosophical cornerstones on which Peter has developed Tourplan. The challenge and opportunity of ‘the new’, along with a love of travel, culture and people are his personal platforms of success.

Peter has a Bachelor’s degree in Physics, and a Master’s degree with honours in Computer Science from the University of Canterbury. He is married with two children and enjoys fly fishing, playing social football and golf.

John Snelling

Director of Development

John joined Tourplan as a software developer in 1987.  Since then he has worked in various technical roles and now holds the position of Development Director based in the Christchurch office.  John manages the central development and services teams, responsible for delivering technical services and product development for Tourplan offices worldwide.  He has a broad knowledge of all technical and practical aspects of the Tourplan product range, and is continually looking to assist clients to improve and enhance their business processes. As part of this approach, he regularly works in close co-operation with senior technical and business management groups inside Tourplan’s largest customer organisations, assisting them to maximise the benefits of the Tourplan platform.

John completed an MBA in 1995. His thesis was based on the impact on tourism distribution channels through dis-intermediation and re-intermediation phases expected from the then new phenomenon – the World Wide Web.

John has travelled extensively, spending time in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Outside of work he is an active hockey player, has a keen interest in cars, and with his wife Erin, dedicates time to supporting his two teenage boys’ various pursuits.

Craig Gray

Asia-Pacific Regional Director

Craig has 20 years’ experience in the Travel Technology industry spanning Europe, Africa, S.E. Asia, Latin American and the South Pacific.

Craig is a principal architect in the development of Tourplan regional offices in the UK, South Africa and Latin America, holding positions of managing director in both the UK and South African Tourplan offices.

Returning home to New Zealand in 2008, Craig now heads up the Asia Pacific region with a key focus on sales, marketing and customer relationship management.

Craig holds a degree in Commerce, is a keen multi-sporter, skier and fixed wing pilot (when family time permits).

Gill Townsend

Managing Director – Tourplan Europe

Gill started in the Travel industry 32 years ago, initially working in the inbound tourism sector focusing on accounts and systems implementation. In April 1994 she joined the Tourplan European team as a support and training consultant, moving to the role of General Manager in 2003, and subsequently heading up the office as Managing Director from 2006.

As a London commuter, Gill’s passion outside of the workplace is taking time to focus on her home and garden, enjoying the beautiful Chiltern countryside, as well as the occasional rock festival.

Leigh Ingle

Managing Director – Tourplan Africa

Leigh’s involvement in the IT industry began in the mid 80′s when, as a teenager, he built his first PC from scratch using components sourced from Taiwan. 

After completing his Bachelor of Commerce (Business Information Systems) Degree at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Leigh worked for two years in the distribution industry implementing and maintaining systems for a division of Premier Foods.  In the early 90’s Leigh founded a computer college teaching the latest PC operating systems, business and accounting applications.

Leigh joined Tourplan in 1995 as a support and training consultant, and in the beginning of 1998 took over the management of the Tourplan Southern Africa office. Under Leigh’s guidance the office has expanded operations into Eastern Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands and now services over 50 Tour Operators throughout the region (including &BEYOND, Kuoni Private Safaris, Springbok Atlas, Tourvest and Wilderness Safaris).

Leigh is married to Zelda and has two sons. Interests include scuba diving, photography, and Karate.

Steven Chew (Chew Kar Hing)

Regional Head – Tourplan Asia

Steven first began working in the travel industry in 1992 when he accepted a role as the IT Manager for Mayflower Acme Tours. One of the top two Malaysian inbound companies at the time, Mayflower was in the early stages of computerising their operations, and Steven was able to gain valuable industry experience working on key systems-related projects. 

After almost four years with the company Steven left Mayflower to briefly take up a position with the United Overseas Bank in charge of their programming Team. From there he was invited to join the newly-established Tourplan regional office in South East Asia which he has been managing since 1998. 

When not at work Steven is involved with his local Church, and is deputy chairman for his local political party electorate office.

Juan Pablo Cruz

General Manager – Tourplan Latin America

Juan Pablo originally qualified as a computer systems engineer and has worked in the tourism industry since 1995. His introduction to the Tourplan system was in 1996 when he began working for Costa Rica Expeditions. After gaining substantial experience as an end user he took up a role with Tourplan in 2003, establishing and heading Tourplan Latin America. 

As well as responsibility for overseeing the operations of the Costa Rica office, Juan Pablo visits and presents Tourplan to prospective clients, oversees implementations, and undertakes training for key clients. He enjoys building on-going professional relationships with all of his Tourplan customers, assisting them to review their use of the platform, explore the possibilities, and identify emerging support and training needs.

Juan Pablo is married to Jenny and has a young daughter. Apart from spending time with his family his interests include squash, poker and enduro/dirt bike riding.