Celestyal Cruises Announces Appointment of Joshua Hepp as Business Development Manager, Western USA and Western Canada
Piraeus, Greece -- July 19, 2018 -- Celestyal Cruises is pleased to announce the appointment of Josh Hepp as Business Development Manager, Western USA and Western Canada, effective 9 July 2018. Based in Denver, CO Josh will be responsible for aggressively growing Celestyal’s footprint in the West through existing as well as new trade channels. He reports to Gordon Dirker, Vice President, Business Development, Celestyal Cruises, Inc.
Prior to joining Celestyal Cruises, Hepp served as National Sales Manager at Contiki Holidays, where he started as a Regional Sales Manager in 2013. As National Sales Manager, he managed seven regional sales executives across the USA and Mexico. He created and maintained strategic partnerships throughout the region to build brand recognition and increase sales, particularly within the Millennial demographic. While at Contiki Holidays he was awarded the U.S. Salesperson Excellence Award in 2016 and 2017; in 2017 he was a runner-up for the Chairman’s Global Innovation Award.
Before joining Contiki Holidays, Hepp spent over a year as a travel expert with STA Travel. He earned a Sales Certificate from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and his Bachelor’s in Mass Communications – Public Relations at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, where he minored in Global Studies.
"The Western USA and Western Canada markets are crucial to our success in North America, and I’m excited to have Josh Hepp spearheading our efforts,” said Leslie Peden, President, Celestyal Cruises, Inc. “His energy and enthusiasm are without par, as is his experience with Millennial travelers, and we expect him to leverage his industry relationships throughout the region to help us convey the Celestyal Cruises’ ‘Premium Experience at Great Value’ story to travel professionals across Western North America."
For more information please visit celestyalcruises.com.
Celestyal Cruises Greece Press Office: Frosso Zaroulea - +30 216 4009659
Celestyal Cruises North American Press Office: Marlene Oliver - +1 (305) 491 0512
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About Celestyal Cruises
Celestyal Cruises is the predominant home-porting cruise operator in Greece and the preeminent cruise line serving the Greek Islands and East Mediterranean. The company operates four mid-sized vessels, each one cosy enough to provide genuine and highly-personalized services. The foundation of the company’s philosophy is the ‘destination.’ Every cruise focuses on true cultural immersion, offering authentic, lifetime experiences both on board and on shore wherever its vessels sail.
Awards & Recognition
In February 2018 Celestyal Cruises received four Cruise Critic Cruisers Choice Awards: two first place awards, for Shore Excursions and Value, and two second place awards, for Service and Entertainment. In 2017 Celestyal Cruises was given the UK Editors’ Picks Award for Best Service by Cruise Critic, as well as four Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Awards: Best (mid-sized), Embarkation, Entertainment, Shore Excursions and Value.
Corporate Responsibility
Celestyal Cruises is deeply committed to sustainability and ethical business practices. The company actively supports the local communities in the destinations it visits, particularly in the field of education. Since 2015, more than 1,200 students on the Greek islands of Ios, Milos and Patmos have enjoyed a ‘journey to knowledge’ by attending specialized educational programs initiated by Celestyal Cruises. Celestyal Cruises also supports cultural NGOs to promote youth entrepreneurship, marine student development and child welfare.
ISO Certification
The entire spectrum of Celestyal Cruises’ ship management – including technical, hotel and crew management, and offices – is certified in accordance with ISO 9001/14001 standards. The certifying authority is DNV-GL, which is widely recognized as the biggest and most respected rating agency in the marine industry.