Crystal Cruises is reinforcing its trade strategy by bringing on board three seasoned professionals. This move aims to bolster the company’s market presence and enhance its sales performance across key regions.
The appointments include Ryan Bishop, Michael Steffl, and Ana Torres, each bringing a wealth of experience and expertise. Crystal is committed to delivering personalised support to its partners, emphasising its focus on expansion within the UK and EMEA.
Ryan Bishop Joins as Regional Sales Manager
Ryan Bishop, previously a cruise director with Seabourn and Viking, steps into his new role as the regional sales manager south for Crystal. In his capacity, Bishop is tasked with driving trade sales performance and expanding Crystal’s market presence in the southern region. He will be reporting directly to Stephen Joyner, Crystal’s senior sales manager for the UK and Ireland.
Bishop’s extensive experience in the cruise industry positions him well to lead Crystal’s sales initiatives. His expertise is expected to be a crucial factor in enhancing the company’s engagement with trade partners and ensuring robust market penetration.
Michael Steffl Appointed Director of Sales EMEA
Michael Steffl brings over two decades of experience with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises to his new position as Crystal’s director of sales for the EMEA. Charged with the responsibility of driving growth and managing trade sales distribution across Continental Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, Steffl’s role is pivotal to Crystal’s strategic expansion.
In his new role, Steffl will leverage his extensive knowledge in international cruise distribution to position Crystal favourably among key sellers in these regions. His appointment signals Crystal’s commitment to strengthening its market position and fostering substantial growth across the EMEA territories.
Ana Torres Enhancing Inside Sales Operations
Ana Torres joins Crystal as the inside sales executive for the UK & EMEA. Her focus will be on optimising the reservation system and CRM processes while providing integral support for key account partners and GSAs.
Torres’ role is designed to enhance operational efficiency and strengthen relationships with key stakeholders. By streamlining sales processes and facilitating smoother transactions, she is expected to contribute significantly to Crystal’s service quality and agent satisfaction.
Bringing Torres on board reflects Crystal’s strategic intention to provide comprehensive support to its network, ensuring that partners have access to the resources needed to operate effectively and efficiently.
Strategic Vision for UK & EMEA Expansion
Matias Lira, SVP trade sales LATAM, UK & EMEA, expressed enthusiasm about the recent appointments, highlighting Crystal’s strategy to expand its presence across the UK & EMEA. ‘In June, we announced our expansion plans for these regions. Providing our advisor community with personalised support is key to unlocking incredible opportunities with Crystal,’ Lira stated.
These appointments are not merely about staffing but are part of a broader strategic vision aimed at driving growth and ensuring sustained engagement with trade partners. The emphasis is on building a supportive infrastructure that invites trade advisors to leverage Crystal’s offerings competitively.
Launch of New Online Booking Engine
Complementing these strategic appointments is Crystal’s launch of a new online booking engine. This tool is designed to streamline the booking process for travel agents in the UK, enhancing their ability to offer seamless experiences to clients.
The new system promises to enhance operational efficiencies and improve user experience for trade partners, aligning with Crystal’s broader goals of innovation and customer satisfaction.
By investing in technology that aids its trade partners, Crystal underscores its dedication to equipping agents with state-of-the-art tools to better serve the market.
Future Hiring and Expansion Plans
Crystal’s commitment to growth extends beyond current appointments, as the company continues to recruit talent to support its expansion plans across crucial regions.
This forward-thinking approach showcases Crystal’s ambition to remain competitive and responsive to the market demands while supporting its trade partners’ needs efficiently.
The recruitment drive and strategic alignment are key to maintaining a robust support network which is crucial for sustained success in the dynamic cruise industry environment.
Emphasising Partnership and Support
Crystal remains focused on strengthening its partnerships with trade advisors, ensuring they receive unparalleled support tailored to their business needs.
Through strategic hiring and investment in technology, Crystal Cruises is poised to solidify its leadership in the trade sector. The new appointments and tools are instrumental in forging stronger relationships with trade partners, ensuring continued growth and success.
