Debra Fox promoted to lead AKTG’s global trade sales strategy

Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group (AKTG) has promoted Debra Fox to the newly created role of chief sales officer for trade sales, reporting to chief executive Cristina Levis.

In her new role, Fox will assume global responsibility for all trade sales across the group’s flagship brands, including Abercrombie & Kent, Crystal, A&K Sanctuary, Cox & Kings, and Ecoventura.

The company said her appointment creates a unified sales leadership structure designed to “enhance advisor support while maintaining the distinct brand expertise that travel partners value”.

Fox continues as lead for Abercrombie & Kent’s tour operating businesses in Australia and the UK.

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In the UK and EMEA, she will work with a regional leadership team including Jennifer Charlton, senior vice-president of trade sales UK/EMEA for A&K and managing director of Cox & Kings, and Luke Smith, UK/EMEA trade sales vice-president for Crystal.

Charlton is supported by Uday Sodha, UK/EMEA sales vice-president, and Bryony Boulter, head of trade sales, while Smith is supported by Stephen Joyner, senior sales manager for UK/Ireland; Michael Young Richards, new UK/Ireland key account manager; and Michael Steffl, EMEA trade sales director, and their teams.

Fox said: “This structure allows us to deliver even more focused support to our trade partners than ever before.

“We are building on the excellent foundations of our trade sales organisation in the UK with a clear focus on unlocking new sales opportunities across all our brands, to drive even greater value for our partners.”

The group said in a statement that the new organisation aligns AKTG’s sales teams globally while maintaining dedicated brand expertise where it works best for each market.

It noted that the “strengthened sales structure supports unprecedented expansion” across AKTG’s portfolio.

Abercrombie & Kent has new DMCs in key markets and product launches including new A&K Sanctuary properties such as Gorilla Forest Lodge in Uganda, Pure Amazon riverboat in Peru, and Baines’ Lodge in Botswana.

Cox & Kings is launching in “pivotal” markets including the US and Australia, while Crystal has two vessels which have undergone extensive multimillion-dollar refurbishments.

Crystal Grace, the brand’s first new ocean ship in 25 years, is scheduled for delivery in May 2028.