Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group Rejigs Gross sales Management Workforce, Launches Advisory Board

Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group (AKTG) has shuffled its gross sales management staff, appointing Marret Taylor as chairman of a brand new advisory board.

AKTG, the dad or mum firm of luxurious tour operator Abercrombie & Kent and cruise line Crystal, has introduced a brand new international advisory board of journey company leaders to strengthen its relationship with the commerce. The multi-brand advisory board will draw enter from key sources throughout the business, which is able to inform AKTG’s product growth and commerce initiatives.

Described as “industry-leading,” the brand new Global AKTG Advisory Board can be led by Marett Taylor. Taylor beforehand served as chief gross sales officer, however will now maintain a brand new function as chairman, Global AKTG Advisory Board & commerce relations. She was additionally appointed to the A&Ok Philanthropy board, the place she is going to present steerage on the nonprofit’s 70+ initiatives worldwide.

Taylor joined Abercrombie & Kent in 2000. In 2023, AKTG named Taylor chief gross sales officer, a newly recreated function designed to strengthen commerce partnerships and innovate the gross sales strategy for each A&Ok and Crystal.

In her new function, Taylor will preserve her engagement with the commerce at business occasions resembling Virtuoso Travel Week and ILTM Cannes. Taylor will proceed to report back to AKTG CEO, Cristina Levis. 

“Marett has built exceptional foundations for our global sales teams across both brands,” stated Levis. “Her new role allows us to leverage her industry expertise and deeply engage our trade partners in guiding our global strategic direction for our entire portfolio.”

Shawn Johnson and Matias Lira will proceed to guide their gross sales groups for A&Ok and Crystal, respectively, however will now report back to chief progress officer Daniel Krupp, who will oversee gross sales and engagement technique.

Johnson (senior vp of commerce gross sales, North America) is answerable for commerce gross sales and technique for Abercrombie & Kent within the US/Canada market, whereas Lira (senior vp of commerce gross sales – Americas, UK & EMEA) handles Crystal’s commerce engagement in all markets exterior of APAC, in addition to each Crystal and A&Ok for LATAM.

The firm stated the reorg and new advisory board will strengthen commerce management and assist help strategic progress throughout its luxurious portfolio.

“Great advisor relationships are built on trust and results — and Shawn and Matias have earned that trust by truly understanding what advisors need to succeed,” stated Krupp. “They bring deep expertise and long-standing industry relationships, and their leadership ensures both continuity and fresh thinking in how we support our partners.” 

Global AKTG Advisory Board

The inaugural Global AKTG Advisory Board is an initiative being spearheaded by Taylor. The board will embody business leaders from around the globe with experience in promoting merchandise inside AKTG’s luxurious portfolio.

Although appointments are ongoing, AKTG has introduced the next members of the brand new advisory board:

USA/Canada/Caribbean new members: Damian McCabe, McCabe Travel; Karen Magee, VWT a Chase Travel Company; Katherine Norton, Brownell; Cristina Buaas, CSB Travel; Aida Silva, Tully Luxury Travel; Stephen Smith, Direct Travel; Laura Asilis, Travelwise.

Latin America/Spain: Omar Servin, Amparo; Mario del Duca, NUBA; Marcelo Ortiz, Traveliz;  Maurice Padovani, Primetour de Viagens; Paola Prieto, NAO.  

UK: Edwina Lonsdale, Mundy Cruising; Fiona Pearcy, The Travel Network Group; Kirsten Hughes, Travel Counsellors; Jacqueline Dobson, The Vacation Group (Internova). 

APAC: Anthony Goldman, Goldman Travel Group; Melinda Gregor, Gregor & Lewis Bespoke Travel; Chervin Chow, Blue Sky Escapes.