Hurtigruten has recruited Andrew Magowan in a consultancy role to help run the line’s international markets.
Magowan, who was formerly vice president commercial Europe at Celestyal Cruises, started his new role on Monday on a six-month basis.
He has known Hurtigruten UK general manager Anthony Daniels since the early 2000s when the pair worked together at Cunard.
Daniels has overseen the EMEA region on an interim basis since October after Hurtigruten’s head of sales for EMEA and developing markets, Matthew Valentine, left the line.
Daniels said: “I’ve known about Magowan’s credentials and professionalism, not just in the UK but also international markets. [Employing Magowan] was a no-brainer as I knew his skill set.”
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Daniels added that Magowan was “an obvious choice” to help get the message across to the line’s international markets, including Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Italy and South Africa.
Next month, Hurtigruten will host a series of trade events across the UK on its latest hybrid-powered expedition ship, Fridtjof Nansen.
Daniels said the ship’s four ex-UK preview sailings were around 80% to 85% sold. “The sailings have been superbly well received,” Daniels said.
On the trade events on the ships, Daniels said: “We’re not just aiming to look after our loyal agents but also inspire agents that have not sold any expedition.
“The agents can see the onboard science centre and all the facilities that are on this ship that are different from other cruise ships.”
Agents will watch a presentation, take a ship tour and have lunch or dinner depending on what time they board the ship.
“This is a real opportunity for travel partners that have not engaged with expedition before,” Daniels said. “They might not have sold a cruise before. This is an opportunity for them too.”