In an effort to strengthen its trade operations, Crystal has appointed three key individuals, each bringing a wealth of experience in the cruise industry.
- Ryan Bishop joins as regional sales manager for the south, tasked with driving trade sales and expanding market presence.
- Michael Steffl takes on the role of director of sales for EMEA, leveraging over 20 years of expertise with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.
- Ana Torres assumes the position of inside sales executive for UK & EMEA, focusing on reservation systems and CRM support.
- These appointments align with Crystal’s plan to provide enhanced one-to-one support within the UK & EMEA regions.
Crystal has taken significant steps to reinforce its trade operations by appointing three seasoned professionals with extensive experience in the cruise industry. Ryan Bishop, formerly a cruise director with Seabourn and Viking, is appointed as the regional sales manager for the south. His primary responsibilities include driving trade sales performance and strengthening Crystal’s market presence in his designated region. Reporting directly to Stephen Joyner, Crystal’s senior sales manager for the UK and Ireland, Bishop is expected to utilise his robust background to facilitate growth in these areas.
Expanding its reach across Continental Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, Crystal welcomes Michael Steffl as the new director of sales for the EMEA region. Steffl, who brings more than two decades of experience with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, will focus on enhancing trade sales distribution throughout his regions. His extensive knowledge in international cruise distribution is expected to play a pivotal role in positioning Crystal among key market players.
Ana Torres, joining as the inside sales executive for the UK and EMEA, will concentrate on supporting the reservation system and Customer Relationship Management (CRM), as well as assisting key account partners and general sales agents. Her role is instrumental in ensuring that Crystal’s trade partners receive the necessary support and coordination, thus facilitating a seamless operational process.
Matias Lira, Crystal’s Senior Vice President for trade sales in LATAM, UK, and EMEA, emphasised the strategic importance of these appointments. He stated, “In June, we announced our plan to expand our sales presence within the UK & EMEA. We believe that providing our advisor community with personalised one-to-one support is the key to expanding and growing these regions with incredible opportunity to experience Crystal.” The appointments of Bishop, Steffl, and Torres are expected to contribute significantly to these strategic goals.
Simultaneously, Crystal introduced a novel online engine aimed at streamlining the booking process for its travel agent partners in the UK. This technological advancement is designed to enhance simplicity and efficiency, reflecting Crystal’s commitment to improving its trade operations and partner experiences.
These strategic appointments and technological advancements are set to bolster Crystal’s trade operations significantly, enhancing its market influence and operational efficiency.
