Celestyal Cruises has named Bentlie Logan as the new business development manager for the northeast U.S. and Canada.
Connecticut-based Logan will be responsible for growing Celestyal’s footprint in the northeast U.S. and Canada. She will also develop the company’s distribution in key travel advisor, group and tour operator channels, maximize trade awareness, travel advisor training, develop cooperative marketing plans and represent the company at industry events. Before joining Celestyal, Logan worked as a business development manager for Ships Group in Miami, Florida. Prior, she spent more than five years as a travel advisor in Louisiana and California.
The line has also created a new director of national accounts role. Kelly Predmesky, who has served as business development manager, southeastern U.S. since 2018, has been elevated to this new role. Besides managing her accounts in the southeastern region, Predmesky will assume her new and expanded role as director of national accounts. She will focus on replicating her success in the southeast across the country to build upon and grow long-lasting, profitable and successful partnerships with travel agencies, consortia, wholesalers and tour operators.
Gordon Dirker, VP of business development, North America, Celestyal Cruises, said: “As travel rebounds, and as Celestyal returns to year-round sailing, we are seeing increasing demand for our cruises in the Greek Isles and Eastern Mediterranean, and with our now expanded business development team in the U.S. and Canada we are even better positioned to meet this growing demand and to assist our travel advisor partners grow their business.”
The line has also announced an addition to its groups department. Sofia Baliou has joined Celestyal Cruises as group agent. In this role, Baliou will focus on servicing the expanding group market. She will also be responsible for maximizing group revenues, handling pricing, inventory and technology. Baliou most recently worked at My Mykonos Hotel of hotelBrain Group as a front office agent. Prior to that, she worked as a front office agent at O&B Athens boutique hotel.
Additionally, Celestyal has appointed Theodora Damaskinou to the position of travel administrator for its shore-excursion department based at the company’s headquarters in Piraeus, Greece. Damaskinou will focus on assisting travel advisors and their clients with all matters related to shore excursions, tours, pre- and post-cruise transportation and accommodation. Damaskinou has over 30 years of experience in the travel industry, most recently with Versus Travel and previously with Athena Tours.
Celestyal has also expanded its North American contact center with additional staff. The contact center operating hours have been increased from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST, Monday to Friday.
For more information, visit celestyal.com.
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