Norwegian Cruise Line has appointed industry veteran Eamonn Ferrin as UK and Ireland managing director.
Ferrin will take up the role of vice-president and managing director for NCL’s UK, Ireland, Israel, South Africa and Middle East markets, and will report directly to Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings president Harry Sommer.
Nick Wilkinson, who was previously vice-president and managing director for UK, Ireland, Middle East and Africa, will report to Ferrin in a newly-created role of regional vice-president of business development.
Ferrin has previously held a range of senior industry roles in the airline, tour operator, cruise and hotel sectors, and most recently worked as an industry consultant.
He acted as interim chief operating officer of cruise.co.uk, and from February 2013 to May 2016 was president and chief operating officer at Air Canada Vacations.
Ferrin’s other roles include managing director of the hotel breaks division at Holidaybreak, and a range of positions within the MyTravel Group, including president and COO at Sunquest Vacations, managing director of BCT Travel Group and product and commercial director at Airtours.
Sommer said: “Eamonn’s appointment comes at an exciting time in our company’s history as we continue to strengthen our global footprint.
“The UK is our second largest source market globally, and Israel, South Africa and the Middle East are emerging markets that demonstrate enormous growth potential.
“Eamonn brings more than 20 years of senior-level experience in the travel and hospitality industry, and having him lead our operations in some of our most important international markets is a testament to our global growth strategy.”