MSC adds to its sales team

MSC Cruises has added two regional sales managers to its sales team on the back of its best wave period to date.

The company has hired Luke Vanderhoeven, as regional sales manager for the southwest and Wales, and Claire Smith, who will be the covering Scotland.

Vanderhoeven previously worked in the cruise team for TUI, while Smith worked for TUI in Scotland. Both will report into Andrea Stafford, MSC’s head of retail who joined the line from Thomas Cook.

Steve Williams, director of sales, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have Luke and Claire join our team to further develop MSC cruises on the high street as we embark on a period of rapid expansion, they will be instrumental in supporting, developing & training our trade partners in their respective geographical regions, both have an exceptional background in high street retail travel so will really understand the needs of our partners and work with them closely to grow their MSC cruise business.”

Antonio Paradiso managing director added: “It is so rewarding one year on from my move to the UK to be in such a great position as we embark on the huge expansion plans earmarked for the cruise line as we embark on 11 new ship builds over the next 10 years.

“I see the UK & Ireland as one of the biggest opportunities globally for MSC and we now have a fantastic sales team in place to be able to educate the trade about what an amazing brand MSC is. We are now just 100 days from the launch of Meraviglia, the first of 11 smart ships on order and one of two new ship launches in 2017 alone. We are now in full swing for the inaugural season of our first ever full EX UK season with the beautiful MSC Magnifica. I believe the team we have in place are now one of the best in the industry and personally I am so excited for the growth and opportunities that we have here.”