Travel Market Report: Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group Shuffles Sales Leadership Team, Launches Advisory Board

Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group (AKTG), parent company of luxury tour operator Abercrombie & Kent and cruise line Crystal, has appointed Marett Taylor as chairman of its new Global AKTG Advisory Board of travel agency leaders. The multi-brand board will draw input from industry sources to inform product development and trade initiatives.

Taylor, formerly chief sales officer, will also join the A&K Philanthropy board, guiding its 70+ projects worldwide. She will continue to engage with the trade at industry events and report to AKTG CEO Cristina Levis.
“Marett has built exceptional foundations for our global sales teams,” said Levis. “Her new role allows us to leverage her expertise and deeply engage our trade partners in guiding our global strategic direction.”

With day-to-day sales management now shifting to brand leaders, Shawn Johnson (A&K) and Matias Lira (Crystal) will lead sales for the USA, UK, and EMEA, while Debra Fox oversees all brands in APAC and A&K UK. Johnson and Lira will report to chief growth officer Daniel Krupp, who will oversee sales and engagement strategy.
The reorganization aims to strengthen trade leadership and support strategic growth across AKTG’s luxury portfolio. “Great advisor relationships are built on trust and results — and Shawn and Matias have earned that trust,” said Krupp.

Tully Luxury Travel’s Aida Silva Appointed to AKTG Global Advisory Board

The inaugural Global AKTG Advisory Board is an initiative being spearheaded by Taylor. The board will include industry leaders from around the world with expertise in selling products within AKTG’s luxury portfolio.

Although appointments are ongoing, AKTG has announced the following members of the 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. 

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