Ponant gets set to grow

PONANT has expanded its AsiaPacific team by implementing a newly created structure, with the changes coming as the line continues to joyously celebrate yesterday’s momentous restart of international cruising in the Kimberley ( t 27 Apr).

Julie Rogers has been promoted to the newly created role of Sales Director Asia Pacific, which will see her responsible for managing the Australian and New Zealand sales team, while maintaining her portfolio of other emerging AsiaPacific markets including India, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and more.

Rogers’ team will include Annabelle Brown as Business Development Manager (BDM) for Vic, Tas and SA - taking over from Craig Farrell who is moving on to a new travel industry role outside of cruising early next month.

The domestic portfolio previously managed by Rogers will transfer to new team member Janelle Ramsey, who is now BDM for Qld, NT and WA.

NZ business will now be managed by Bianca Bratton who has has been promoted to become BDM New Zealand, while also maintaining her expertise as Ponant’s Paul Gauguin Specialist for Asia-Pacific.

Julie Golding continues as BDM for NSW & ACT and will help guide and mentor new starters Ramsey and Brown, while Charlotte Crauck from Ponant’s customer service team has been promoted to fill a new National Inside Sales Executive role supporting the cruise line’s team of BDMs.

Karen Smith has been permanently appointed as Customer Service & Reservations Manager, while Kim Herdiana remains as Team Leader APAC.

Kristin Jansson, who has been on maternity leave, is returning to Ponant and will take on a new role to be revealed shortly.

And finally a new role of Partnerships & Engagement Director Asia Pacific has been created, with a search for a suitable candidate to commence in the coming weeks.

Ponant is also expanding sales support for its teams in China and Japan, in alignment with border reopenings over the coming months and to serve the pent-up demand from these regions.