Explora Journeys Enhances North American Presence with Strategic Team Expansion
Explora Journeys, the luxury lifestyle brand under the MSC Group umbrella, is significantly bolstering its commercial operations in North America. This strategic move involves expanding its sales team and enhancing the management of key partnerships, particularly with top consortia and major National and Key Accounts. The expansion underlines Explora Journeys’ dedication to fostering strong business relationships and enhancing its market presence in the region.
The team welcomes Camilo Duque as the Business Relationship Lead for National & Key Accounts in the U.S. West. With over 17 years of experience in promoting tourism in major cities like Miami, New York, and Los Angeles, Duque brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep passion for travel. He will be operating from Laguna Beach, California, leveraging his expertise to connect people with unique travel experiences.
Joining the East Coast team is Jonathan Suarez, appointed as the Business Relationship Lead for National & Key Accounts in the U.S. East. Suarez, a luxury travel expert with a finance background from The University of Florida, has honed his skills at Uniworld Boutique River Cruises. His specialization in revenue analysis and relationship management, coupled with his Miami base, positions him well to drive Explora Journeys’ growth in the region.
Additionally, the team is strengthened by the inclusion of Joseph Barney and Allison Farrell as Business Relationship Leads for the U.S. West and Northeast, respectively. Barney’s experience in senior roles at Crystal Cruises and other notable companies, and Farrell’s background with Playa Hotels & Resorts and Celebrity Cruises, equip them to lead partnerships with luxury agency partners in their areas.
Chris Austin, Chief Sales Officer of Explora Journeys, emphasizes the brand’s commitment to the travel advisor community and highlights the significance of these appointments in supporting and growing the community. He notes that this is a particularly exciting time for Explora Journeys, especially with EXPLORA I in operation and upcoming sailings planned for the U.S. West Coast, Hawaii, and Europe.
Explora Journeys aims to redefine luxury ocean travel, driven by the MSC Group and the owner’s family’s vision of creating a transformative luxury ocean travel experience. With EXPLORA I currently sailing in the Caribbean and scheduled to explore the U.S. West Coast, Hawaii, and the Mediterranean Sea, the brand is setting new benchmarks in luxury ocean travel, focusing on unique itineraries and lesser-travelled ports. This expansion of the North American team is a testament to Explora Journeys’ commitment to growth, excellence, and redefining the luxury cruise experience.