Seatrade Cruise News is part of the Informa Markets Division of Informa PLC

This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 8860726.

Celestyal Cruises appoints sales manager for Western US/Canada

a209f08b52e3f3d46c95495861119657
Josh Hepp has experience building brand recognition and increasing sales, particularly with millennials
Josh Hepp, previously national sales manager at Contiki Holidays, was appointed business development manager, Western USA and Western Canada, for Celestyal Cruises.

Based in Denver, he is responsible for aggressively growing Celestyal’s footprint in the West through existing and new trade channels. He reports to Gordon Dirker, VP business development.

US Salesperson Excellence Awards

Hepp started at Contiki Holidays as a regional sales manager in 2013 before being promoted to national sales manager, where he managed seven regional sales executives across the US and Mexico. He created and maintained strategic partnerships throughout the region to build brand recognition and increase sales, particularly with millennials. He received Contiki's US Salesperson Excellence Award in 2016 and 2017; in 2017 he was a runner-up for the Chairman’s Global Innovation Award.

Before Contiki, Hepp spent over a year as a travel expert with STA Travel.

Energy and enthusiasm

'The Western USA and Western Canada markets are crucial to our success in North America, and I’m excited to have Josh Hepp spearheading our efforts,' said Leslie Peden, president, Celestyal Cruises. 'His energy and enthusiasm are without par, as is his experience with millennial travelers, and we expect him to leverage his industry relationships throughout the region to help us convey the Celestyal Cruises "Premium Experience at Great Value" story to travel professionals across Western North America.'