Norwegian expands Canadian sales team

Norwegian Cruise Line has expanded its sales team in Canada, following an announcement in February outlining the company’s intention to increase its North American presence by more than 40 per cent.

The newly-revealed Canadian team will be led by industry-veteran Dana Gain, who has been appointed the national director for sales, overseeing all aspects of Norwegian’s sales strategy in Canada. Gain will lead a team of six business development managers dedicated to growing the number of guests sourced from the Canadian market and expanding the agency base partnering with Norwegian Cruise Line.  She most recently acted as director of international sales for Carnival Cruise Line.

Gain will have the support of a team of six business development managers, strategically positioned to develop stronger, more effective relationships with partners across the country. The team includes:

• Mary-Jo Cutaia, business development manager for Western Ontario. Cutaia has been with Norwegian Cruise Line for 20-plus years.
• Ian Smyth, who joins Norwegian as the business development manager for Eastern Ontario. Smyth has spent the last eight years as the sales representative for WestJet and WestJet Vacations. Prior to his time at WestJet, he spent many years with a Canadian wholesaler with a focus on cruise.
• Ramon Jacinto continues his role as the business development manager for Western Canada. Jacinto joined Norwegian in 2013, having previously held sales positions at WestJet and WestJet Vacations and the Richmond Tourism Association.
• Sabrina Greca, previously the business development manager for Quebec, has been appointed the business development manager for strategic accounts.
• Alexandre Bergeron joins Norwegian as the business development manager for Quebec. Bergeron was most recently with Transat Holidays.
• Ilanit Zimmermann joins the Canadian team as the Miami-based business development manager covering parts of Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the Maritimes. Zimmermann brings 12 years of experience in the hotel, tour, and cruise industries.

In April of 2011, Norwegian Cruise Line introduced “Partners First,” the company’s corporate philosophy of putting its travel partners first, including a $16 million investment in travel partners, such as new customizable marketing tools with Marketing Headquarters; a complete focus on being easy to do business with; the streamlining of the booking processes and technology; and a commitment on direct business.

See more at www.norwegiancentral.com.