A&K/Crystal hire four trade sales executives, promote eight others

The new hires are Jennifer Charlton in London, Glen Rothe (formerly of Norwegian Cruise Line) and Jacqueline Leyva (Atlas Ocean Voyages) in the Aventura, Florida office and Sharla Smith (Scenic Group USA) as a regional US sales director.

Those promoted are Shawn Johnson, Jay Warren, Oscar Dunn, Kim Guimaraes, Stephen Loughlin, Rob Cifuentes, Natalia Pessoa and Greice Penteado.

These moves come under Chief Sales Officer Marett Taylor as part of the company's 'One A&K' strategy.

'We remain dedicated to our travel advisor community and equipping our sales teams to deliver the highest level of service. We have robust plans to expand educational opportunities, invest in sales and marketing resources, and offer other initiatives to help our trade partners grow their businesses,' Taylor said.

New sales leaders

In A&K’s London office, Jennifer Charlton was appointed SVP trade sales & business development, UK and EMEA for Abercrombie & Kent. She brings extensive experience, joining from Amex GBT where she led the supplier partnership teams in EMEA and APAC, the global digital media team, M&E global supplier strategy and worked with the M&A team on acquisition and integration projects.

In Aventura, Glen Rothe joins as VP trade sales, Crystal, a position formerly held by Brandon Townsley, who went to Celestyal Cruises. Rothe will be responsible for managing trade relationships and sales. He brings 30 years of experience in the travel industry including more than a decade in sales at Norwegian Cruise Line.

Recruiting for new sales directors, inside account roles

Rothe will be recruiting four new sales directors for North America and multiple inside account executive roles to enhance Crystal’s support for US and Canada trade partners.

An SVP trade sales role is still to be filled. 

Jacqueline Leyva joined Crystal in Aventura as VP trade reservations, air & turnaround operations, providing support for both North America and LATAM trade partners. Most recently with Atlas Ocean Voyages, she has 30 years of industry experience including at SeaDream Yacht Club and Cunard.

Sharla Smith, previously with Scenic Group USA, will be Crystal's regional sales director, central USA. She has 25 years of experience including at Paul Gauguin Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises.

Promotions

In Latin America, the team that previously represented A&K DMCs and properties have been promoted to expanded roles, adding Crystal to their sales portfolio to support growth with the trade for A&K and Crystal.

Top row, from left, Shawn Johnson, Jay Warren, Oscar Dunn, Kim Guimaraes. Bottom row, from left, Rob Cifuentes, Stephen Loughlin, Natalia Pessoa, Greice Penteado

And internal promotions include Shawn Johnson, SVP sales, North America, A&K, and Jay Warren, VP sales, North America, A&K, A&K DMCs and Sanctuary Retreats.

Oscar Dunn moved up to VP cruise sales, A&K and Crystal; Kim Guimaraes to VP national accounts, A&K and Crystal; and Stephen Loughlin, national accounts business specialist, A&K and Crystal.

Rob Cifuentes was promoted to director of sales, LATAM, A&K and Crystal; Natalia Pessoa to director of sales, Brazil & Argentina, A&K and Crystal; and Greice Penteado, GP marketing, general sales & marketing agent, Brazil, A&K and Crystal.

In APAC, the team will continue to be led by industry veteran Debra Fox, EVP trade sales Asia Pacific, supported by Tony Archbold as VP sales. A new director of sales – Asia Pacific is being recruited, following the addition of other trade support positions.

Cruise ships, DMCs, riverboats

Crystal recently reintroduced the updated Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity and plans to build four ships, including two expedition vessels, in six years.

A&K’s relationship with the trade has spanned more than 60 years and encompasses what it claims is the largest network of luxury destination management companies across the world, including 13 camps and lodges in Africa and four riverboats in Egypt. The group has expansion plans for their DMCs and owned products with recent acquisitions including Ecoventura in the Galápagos.