Sponsored By

Aranui Cruises targets New Zealand with BDM appointment

Papeete-based Aranui Cruises, which operates the mixed freight and passenger ship Aranui 5, appointed Tahiti Tourisme’s Moana McKeen as business development manager for New Zealand.

Helen Hutcheon, Australasia correspondent

October 15, 2024

1 Min Read
Moana McKeen, Aranui Cruises’ new business development manager for New Zealand, with Australia and New Zealand representative Laurent WongPHOTO: ARANUI CRUISES

McKeen, who has been with Tahiti Tourisme 10 years, is taking part in ‘The Islands of Tahiti’ road show which moves to Auckland from Sydney on Thursday.

Reinvigorating the market

Aranui Cruises’ Australia and New Zealand representative Laurent Wong said McKeen’s position is aimed at reinvigorating the New Zealand market.

‘There are few people in this region who know French Polynesia as well as Moana,’ Wong said.

‘I know she is going to do a fantastic job promoting Aranui in the New Zealand market, strengthening ties with travel agent partners, training wholesalers and agents and continuing to foster the close relationships she has developed over many years in the industry.’

40 years

‘I can’t wait to hone in on the stunning Marquesas Islands which were recently UNESCO heritage-listed and where Aranui has been cruising for 40 years,’ McKeen said.

She said she is also looking forward to the special Austral Islands being put on the world stage by Aranui Cruises.

About the Author

Helen Hutcheon

Australasia correspondent

Helen Hutcheon did her cadetship on a shipping magazine and worked in P&O’s Sydney office for seven years as a public relations journalist.

For 19 years she was deputy editor of Travel Week, which was Australia’s leading trade newspaper that covered major local and international industry events.

In 2008 the late legendary Rama Rebbapragada presented her with an award from Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd ‘in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the cruising industry.’

In 2010 she won the Neil Frazer Award for ‘outstanding contribution to the cruise industry,’ elevating her to CLIA Australasia’s hall of fame.

She has been the Australasia correspondent for Seatrade Cruise Review since 1997 and for Seatrade Insider (now Seatrade Cruise News) since its launch in 2000.

 

The latest cruise news, analysis and more straight to your inbox
Get the free newsletter read by industry experts

You May Also Like