OUR TEAM
STOCKHOLM
Leija Graf
Position: CEO & Owner
Education: Travel Institute Porvoo, Finland, Psychology at Chabot College CA, Economics at University of Stockholm
Years in travel industry: 25
Years with Select: 20
Favorite destinations: Asia incl. Bhutan, Indian Ocean, Caribbean and Europe
Most travelled destination: Caribbean, South Pacific, USA, Indian Ocean
Expert areas: Spa hotels
Insider tip: Always use a tour operator for a helping hand when the unexpected occurs.
Fredrik Ottosson
Position: Director of Products & Marketing
Education: Master of Science degree Stockholm School of Economics
Years in travel industry: 10
Years with Select: 6
Favorite destinations: Argentina, Brasil, USA
Most travelled destination: USA, 20+ times
Expert areas: Argentina, Madagascar, Sri Lanka and everything on aircrafts
Insider tip: When in Buenos Aires you must visit Rojo Tango - simply the best tango show in the world.
Lars Ohlsen
Position: CFO
Education: Masters Degree Economics, Executive MBA from Stockholm School of Economics
Years in travel industry: 15
Years with Select: 1
Favorite destinations: Alpine skiing in Colorado and the Dolomites
Most travelled destination: NY & Greece
Expert areas: Ski destinations in the Alps
Insider tip: The ski run, called Buffaure is the most beautiful ski run in the Dolomites, from the Rifugio Baita Cuz at 2.050 m down into Val San Nicolò
Ulrika Thelander
Position: Sales Manager Sweden
Education: High School & University
Years in travel industry: 26
Years with Select: 17
Favorite destinations: Maldives & South Africa
Most travelled destination: Mauritius, Thailand, South Africa, Jamaica & Dubai.
Expert areas: Mauritius, South Africa, Botswana, Thailand, Australia, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Galapagos
Insider tip: I know a lot about golf hotels courses as I love to play myself – the White Witch Course in Jamaica is truly amazing!
Hanna Hjälmerhag
Position: Spa Manager, Executive Assistant to CEO
Education: Master in Linguistics Uppsala University
Years in travel industry: 5
Years with Select: 5
Favorite destinations: Italy, Cambodia, New Zealand and Brazil
Most travelled destination: Italy
Expert areas: The different regions of Italy, their history, cuisine & traditions.
Insider tip: In Italy a trattoria with bright lighting is where la nonna is preparing the best pasta!
Linda Johnson
Position: Senior Travel Consultant
Education: Secondary school
Years in travel industry: 12
Years with Select: 7
Favorite destinations: Mauritius, Thailand
Most travelled destination: Mauritius, Thailand
Expert areas: Round the world arrangements, Indian Ocean, Thailand, South Africa
Insider tip: Ask me about insider tips when designing a round the world ticket. Your desired destinations will decide which alliance and route to use
Tommy Ebbeståhl
Position: Senior Travel Consultant, Sweden
Education: Certified travel sales agent through TRAC
Years in travel industry: 10
Years with Select: 5
Favorite destinations: Kenya and Bali
Most travelled destination: South East Asia, I love the Asian philosophy and service.
Expert areas: South East Asia, Bali, Kenya, Zanzibar, Mauritius & Jordan
Insider tip: If you haven't been on a real safari yet, do it! A game drive is one of the most rewarding experiences one can have. My favorite is Kenya!
Mariana Kalinic
Position: Senior Travel Consultant
Education: Certified IATA-Education through British Airways, (Cambridge Proficiency English Exam, Uxbridge College)
Years in travel industry: 16
Years with Select: 5
Favorite destinations: Australia, Croatia, Fiji, Canada
Most travelled destination: Croatia, Australia
Expert areas: Australia, Croatia, Montenegro, Mauritius, Canada, Fiji
Insider tip: When travelling to Croatia for your beach holiday always bring bathing shoes to avoid the stingy sea urchins.
Johan Paloheimo
Position: Senior Travel Consultant
Education: Secondary school
Years in travel industry: 12
Years with Select: 5
Favorite destinations: Australia, Maldives, Mauritius, USA
Most travelled destination: Florida (10 times)Australia, Thailand
Expert areas: Australia, Maldives, Mauritius, Florida, round the world tickets… if you’re a diver and interested in marine life, I´m the guy to speak to.
Insider tip: Lord Howe Island in Australia that´s on UNESCO´s World Heritage list.
Pernilla Aguilar
Position: Travel Consultant
Education: Tourism Coordinator
Years in travel industry: 9
Years with Select: 2
Favorite destinations: Peru and Nepal
Most travelled destination: Peru, Ecuador, Panama, Nepal, Sri Lanka & Thailand
Expert areas: South America, Nepal & Tibet, if you like hiking talk to me.
Insider tip: One of my favorite spots on the planet is the Sacred Valley in Peru. The wonderful nature & colorful people amaze me.
Anki Persson
Position: Travel Consultant
Education: Secondary school
Years in travel industry: 12
Years with Select: 2
Favorite destinations: Africa, Mauritius, Maldives, Brazil & Peru
Most travelled destination: Africa, Caribbean, South America & Thailand
Expert areas: Brazil, Peru, South Africa, Namibia & Thailand
Insider tip: If you want a great adventure in life, the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru is a must.
Gillian Stanbridge
Position: Client & Supplier Relations Manager
Education: Bachelor of Science degree
Years in travel industry: 14
Years with Select: 5
Favorite destinations: Australia & South Africa
Most travelled destination: South Africa
Expert areas: South Africa my home country
Insider tip: When visiting South Africa go to subtropical KwaZulu Natal & Thonga Beach Lodge. Stunning nature at its best with endless beaches & only 12 thatched cottages.
Neil Bedford
Position: Product Manager
Education: Bachelor of Science degree
Years in travel industry: 8
Years with Select: 1
Favorite destinations: Bali, Borneo
Most travelled destination: Indonesia & Malaysia
Expert areas: Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines
Insider tip: When in Bali try the babi guling (suckling pig served with spicy sambal sauce) at Ibu Oka's - an Ubud institution & a favourite of local Balinese & travellers alike.
Max Albrechtsson
Position: Marketing Coordinator
Education: Design courses at the College of Arts
Years in travel industry: 2
Years with Select: 2
Favorite destinations: Surfing in Portugal
Most travelled destination: Greece
Expert areas: Ask me about the best destinations for surfing and Kite surfing
Insider tip: When in Milan go to the Sunday brunch at Four Seasons Milan. For dessert chocoholics can indulge in a room made entirely of chococolate...
Suzanne Linden
Position: Finance & Accounts
Education: Senior high school economics
Years in travel industry: 4
Years with Select: 4
Favorite destinations: I just love to travel!
Most travelled destination: At least 10 times to Japan and nearly the same to USA, many times to France, Spain, Italy
Expert areas: Japan, I do know a lot about the country and its culture
Insider tip: Try to get in contact with some locals on the destination to show you around instead of doing the guide book thing
Malin Nilsson
Position: Finance & Accounts
Education: Master of Science in Business and Economics
Years in travel industry: 6
Years with Select: 4
Favorite destinations: Brazil
Most travelled destination: Egypt & Greece
Expert areas: Egypt & Greece
Insider tip: Visit the local markets to find the best food when travelling to Egypt and Morocco, where the local people eat is most often the best place to go
Ann Jurk
Position: Finance & Accounts
Education: Bachelor of Science in Business & Economics University of Stockholm
Years in travel industry: 5
Years with Select: 5
Favorite destinations: New Zeeland and Alva Park in Spain (a destination in itself)
Most travelled destination: Greece
Expert areas: Family friendly resorts in Europe
Insider tip: You must experience Alva Park in Spain, a unique and beautiful hotel, perfect for a weekend getaway close to Barcelona.
HELSINKI
Ilse Nyman
Position: Country Manager Finland
Education: Travel Institute Haaga
Years in travel industry: 35
Years with Select: 11
Favorite destinations: Indian Ocean and India
Most travelled destination: Indian Ocean, Asia, America, Europe
Expert areas: Indian Ocean (Mauritius, Seychelles, Maldives)
Insider tip: Ask me about spa holidays
Kati Kinnunen
Position: Airline ticketing and tariffs
Education: Internationale Schule für Touristik, Zürich
Years in travel industry: 13
Years with Select: 1
Favorite destinations: Kerala, India
Most travelled destination: London
Expert areas: Airline ticketing and tariffs
Insider tip: A hidden gem in Zürich – Café Schober in the old town, Niederdorf. Great cakes in a lovely atmosphere!
Marita Aarnio
Position: Senior Travel Consultant
Education: Secondary school graduate, two years studies at Travel business school
Years in travel industry: 32
Years with Select: 12
Favorite destinations: Africa
Most travelled destination: South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Tanzania & Kenya, Mauritius, Seychelles, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Europe
Expert areas: Africa, Thailand, Malaysia
Insider tip: I know Africa inside out - let me design your next safari escape
Birgit Borgstrom
Position: Senior Travel Consultant
Education: Student merkonom
Years in travel industry: 38
Years with Select: 12
Favorite destinations: Africa & Argentina
Most travelled destination: Africa
Expert areas: Argentina, golf holidays
Insider tip: Ask me about golf holidays
Arja Laukkarinen
Position: Senior Travel Consultant
Education: Travel Institute Mikkeli
Years in travel industry: 22
Years with Select: 11
Favorite destinations: Italy and Maldives
Most travelled destination: Thailand, more than 10 visits
Expert areas: Far East, Italy, Mauritius
Insider tip: Ask me about cruising on Silversea
OSLO
Dag Åge Karlsen
Position: Country Manager Norway
Education: Economics degree from University
Years in travel industry: 18
Years with Select: 9
Favorite destinations: South Africa
Most travelled destination: Cruises and South Africa
Expert areas: Cruising, South Africa, Botswana, Maldives, Thailand. Know airlines and aircraft configurations quite well.
Insider tip: A seafood dinner at Baia in Cape Town is a “must”. (one of Africa’s best restaurants).
Therese Larsen
Position: Senior Travel Consultant
Education: College of Tourism
Years in travel industry: 13
Years with Select: 6
Favorite destinations: South Africa and India
Most travelled destination: Thailand
Expert areas: India
Insider tip: While travelling in Rajasthan, India, take the early morning Shatabdi Express train from Delhi to Agra. A memorable experience! Make sure you have enough time to enjoy the busy atmosphere on the platform before entering the train.
Erland Stubmo
Position: Senior Travel Consultant
Education: Cand. Mag (French, Psychology and Social Anthropology)
Years in travel industry: 27
Years with Select: 11
Favorite destinations: Thailand
Most travelled destination: Thailand (almost 70 times)
Expert areas: Thailand, Portugal, Brazil /South America & Cruises
Insider tip: If you like Thai-food, don’t go to the hotel restaurants. Go to the local ones as they have the most authentic food.
Astrid Sølvik
Position: Senior Travel Consultant
Education: Secondary school
Years in travel industry: 20
Years with Select: 11
Favorite destinations: South Africa and Vietnam
Most travelled destination: South Africa
Expert areas: Thailand, Vietnam, India, Australia, South Africa, Italy, Seychelles, Mauritius, Maldives, cruises
Insider tip: I just visited Seychelles and can match your needs with the ideal resort
Ada Størmer Papatheocharis
Position: Senior Travel Consultant
Education: Otto Treider Travel Academy, Oslo
Years in travel industry: 20
Years with Select: 8
Favorite destinations: Africa
Most travelled destination: Greece
Expert areas: Greece, Botswana, Brazil, Mauritius, Seychelles, Jamaica, New York, China, Thailand
Insider tip: Have dinner at “The Red Bicycle” when in Oia, Santorini.
Lars Johan Sødal
Position: Travel Consultant
Education: Bachelor Degree in Tourism- and Relations management from the Oslo School of Management
Years in travel industry: 2
Years with Select: 1
Favorite destinations: Greece & Italy
Most travelled destination: Europe
Expert areas:
Insider tip: Relax by the pool at Four Seasons Florence during daytime and experience the amazing evenings downtown Florence.
LONDON
Collette Duignan
Position: Senior Travel Consultant
Education: Secondary school
Years in travel industry: 16
Years with Select: 4
Favorite destinations: New York
Most travelled destination: Italy, Caribbean
Expert areas: Indian Ocean, Thailand, Caribbean, Europe
Insider tip: : Consult us at your earliest opportunity – this gives you maximum time to look forward to your dream Select Collection vacation!
Charlene Everest
Position: Travel Consultant
Education: Sixth Form College
Years in travel industry: 7
Years with Select: 1
Favorite destinations: Sydney, Boston &Paris
Most travelled destination: New York, Caribbean
Expert areas: USA, Caribbean
Insider tip: When in San Francisco cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge and have lunch at The Spinnaker restaurant in Sausalito for great food and unrivaled views of the San Francisco skyline!
Jennifer Sloan
Position: Administrative Support
Education: Tourism Degree, Bournemouth University
Years in travel industry: 3
Years with Select: 2
Favorite destinations: Italy, I particularly like the Amalfi Coast! In the winter months I enjoy skiing in the French Alps!
Most travelled destination: Italy and Spain
Expert areas: USA
Insider tip: Have you ever been on holiday and discovered real treasures that are unique to the destination? ... Why not visit our gallery boutique in London, Mayfair and purchase your very own items that have been discovered in various destinations.