JTA Travel Group appoints Mark Schmitt as head of cruise

JTA Travel Group has appointed Mark Schmitt to the newly created role of head of cruise.

Schmitt joins the company from SeaDream Yacht Club where he was UK and Ireland sales director.

Prior to that, he held roles at AmaWaterways, Fred Olsen Travel, Tradewind Voyages, SLC Representation and Trailfinders.

In his new position, he will be responsible for expanding JTA’s cruise portfolio, driving continued growth and working closely with supplier and agent partners.

JTA Travel Group chief executive Wayne Darrock said: “Cruise is one of the fastest-growing sectors within our business, and Mark’s appointment marks a significant step forward in our strategy to build a stronger, more dynamic cruise offering.

“His wealth of industry knowledge, leadership experience, and proven ability to deliver results make him a valuable addition to our senior management team.

"We’re excited about the expertise he brings and the new opportunities this will create for our trade partners.”

 Schmitt added: “I’m delighted to be joining JTA Travel Group at such an exciting time.

“The company has an outstanding reputation for supporting agents and offering exceptional value across its brands.

“I’m looking forward to developing the cruise proposition further and working with our cruise partners to create even greater opportunities within the sector.”