CroisiEurope appoints John Fair as UK sales director

CroisiEurope has announced that John Fair will join the company in the newly created role of UK sales director. 

He will report into international sales director Michel Grimm, who is based in Strasbourg. He will start the role March 1.

Michel Grimm said: “We’re excited to welcome John to lead and develop our UK team. He brings with him a wealth of experience in both the river cruise industry and the wider UK outbound travel industry.

“He is also familiar with our brand having worked very closely with us whilst in his previous role as Cosmos Cruises Director. His long-standing trade relationships will help us to raise CroisiEurope Cruises’ profile within the UK travel agent and tour operator community and help us achieve our aim of increasing sales via all UK trade channels.

“He will ensure agents have the support and training they need to successfully market and sell CroisiEurope Cruises to their clients.”

Fair added: “CroisiEurope Cruises is Europe’s largest and most innovative river cruise operator with 50 ships and well-established programmes on all the major European rivers, as well as an ever-growing long-haul capacity in the Far East, Africa and Canada.

“They are also pioneers in terms of onboard ship technologies including paddle wheels which have opened rivers such as the Loire to the UK market. My task will be to showcase the range of river cruises and ships available to the UK trade as well as ensuring agents are confident to offer such an excellent value for money product to their clients.”

Fair was previously Cosmos Tours and Cruises‘ product and commercial director, and commercial director at 1^st4cruising.

He has also worked on several consultancy projects including work with South Africa Tourism and Cruise Adviser.

Gabrielle Alam will continue in her role as UK head of sales and marketing.