Hurtigruten Group has appointed multiple key team members to bolster its Asia-Pacific operations across sales, marketing, public relations and customer service and support a surge in demand for its Hurtigruten and HX brands.
New Regional Sales Manager for Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia Kirsty Fruin joins the Hurtigruten Group APAC Commercial team from Scotland, while experienced public relations executive Christina Coullas will take the helm in the new role of PR & Communications Manager – APAC.
Based in Brisbane, Fruin adds extensive cruise and travel industry knowledge from previous sales roles, including The Travel Corporation, Royal Caribbean International and Fred Olsen Travel, where she was most recently Head of Sales in the UK.
Previously working with Hurtigruten Group in a consultancy capacity, Koullas now moves in-house to the Melbourne office, bringing more than 20 years’ experience with the likes of Spirit of Tasmania and other destination marketing companies in Europe.
The Melbourne Customer Service Centre also expands with Briohny Black and Laura Lund coming on board as CSC Consultants to manage agent and consumer enquiries.
Lund has worked for more than a decade in retail management, accounts and customer resolution, while Black has 18 years’ experience in travel with tenures at APT and Captain’s Choice, specialising in sales and tour consulting.
Two more international hires will round out the Melbourne head office in new Marketing Executive roles: Jemma Gormack from New Zealand and another UK recruit, Emily Coltman.
Hurtigruten Group Managing Director APAC Damian Perry said the expanded team will support the growing demand for the company’s two brands.
“As our business continues to evolve, we want to ensure we can best support our industry partners, agents and consumers across Hurtigruten’s Original Coastal Express and Premium Signature Voyages as well as HX expedition cruises,” he said.
“Additionally, bringing our PR and communications activity in-house will help strengthen relationships with travel and news media in the region.”
Find out more at hurtigruten.com