Swan Hellenic promotes Mario Bounas as team expands

Swan Hellenic has promoted Mario Bounas as part of a raft of appointments amid an “exciting trajectory of exponential growth”.

 

The expedition cruise line said he is stepping up from his role as UK & Ireland general manager to become chief commercial officer, succeeding Patrizia Iantorno who has left Swan Hellenic.

 

Luke Clarke, who has been with the company as sales director for the past three years, has been recognised for his strong trade relations focus with a promotion to senior sales director for the UK, Ireland, Africa and India.

 

Both are based in London, where the cruise line has achieved 347% year-on-year growth for the year to date.

 

The UK team also has three new recruits to offer support to the trade and consumers.

 

More: Swan Hellenic launches two Grand Voyages on Africa West Coast for 2026

 

Swan Hellenic pledges strengthened trade support as bookings rise

 

Dan Anders, who has experience at HX and Silversea, will be working with Clarke as business development executive to support Swan Hellenic’s trade business in the UK and Ireland.

 

Goran Subasic is joining the reservations team from Silversea and Kim Daplyn has been promoted to guest relations director following two “outstanding” years at Swan Hellenic.

 

Kate Patterson-Green is joining Daplyn as a direct report, brining experience from Hamilton Pyramid Europe to her new role with Swan Hellenic’s global guest relations team.

 

Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, Bill Spaeth has been promoted to head the North America team as general manager, following three years with Swan Hellenic and 30 at leading ultra-luxury and expedition cruise brands, including Scenic, Ponant and Paul Gauguin.

 

Lisette Martinez Rusian will continue to build Hellenic’s trade business across North America as senior trade sales director.

 

In Monaco, the team gains Nikolai Iablonskii as Europe sales director, who brings extensive experience from the world of fashion, including seven years at Christian Dior.

 

Supporting Swan Hellenic’s expansion in the Gulf, Mutaz Mokhtar has been recruited as regional GCC head of sales, based in Dubai. He has more than 25 years’ experience in MICE and tourism, most recently including 10 years at American Express Global Business Travel.

 

Andrea Zito, Swan Hellenic chief executive, said: “As Swan Hellenic proudly continues its exciting trajectory of exponential growth, I am proud to reward, nurture and grow the dedicated team that make it all possible.

 

“Special thanks go to Mario Bounas, one of the chief architects of our unique guest experience and consequent success.”

 

Bounas added: “I’ve had the privilege of helping shape Swan Hellenic from its earliest days, but the brand’s extraordinary growth reflects the talent and dedication of everyone in our team.

 

“Taking on the CCO role is both an honour and an exciting challenge. I look forward to offering curious minds even more unique destinations and experiences, serving a company and an industry about which I am hugely passionate.”