Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group Shuffles Sales Leadership Team, Launches Advisory Board

Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group (AKTG) has shuffled its sales leadership team, appointing Marret Taylor as chairman of a new advisory board.

AKTG, the parent company of luxury tour operator Abercrombie & Kent and cruise line Crystal, has announced a new global advisory board of travel agency leaders to strengthen its relationship with the trade. The multi-brand advisory board will draw input from key sources within the industry, which will inform AKTG’s product development and trade initiatives.

Described as “industry-leading,” the new Global AKTG Advisory Board will be led by Marett Taylor. Taylor previously served as chief sales officer, but will now hold a new role as chairman, Global AKTG Advisory Board & trade relations. She was also appointed to the A&K Philanthropy board, where she will provide guidance on the nonprofit’s 70+ projects worldwide.

Taylor joined Abercrombie & Kent in 2000. In 2023, AKTG named Taylor chief sales officer, a newly recreated role designed to strengthen trade partnerships and innovate the sales approach for both A&K and Crystal.

In her new role, Taylor will maintain her engagement with the trade at industry events such as Virtuoso Travel Week and ILTM Cannes. Taylor will continue to report to AKTG CEO, Cristina Levis. 

“Marett has built exceptional foundations for our global sales teams across both brands,” said Levis. “Her new role allows us to leverage her industry expertise and deeply engage our trade partners in guiding our global strategic direction for our entire portfolio.”

“Over the past two years as CSO, Marett successfully established and strategically designed AKTG’s global, multi-brand sales organization, creating a tailored structure for each source market,” and AKTG representative told TMR in a statement.

“With that foundation in place, day-to-day sales management is now transitioning to brand leaders in each market—Shawn Johnson (A&K) and Matias Lira (Crystal) for USA, UK, and EMEA, and Debra Fox (all brands in APAC, plus A&K UK).” 

Shawn Johnson and Matias Lira will continue to lead their sales teams for A&K and Crystal, respectively, but will now report to chief growth officer Daniel Krupp, who will oversee sales and engagement strategy.

Johnson (senior vice president of trade sales, North America) is responsible for trade sales and strategy for Abercrombie & Kent in the US/Canada market, while Lira (senior vice president of trade sales – Americas, UK & EMEA) handles Crystal’s trade engagement in all markets outside of APAC, as well as both Crystal and A&K for LATAM.

The company said the reorg and new advisory board will strengthen trade leadership and help support strategic growth across its luxury portfolio.

“Great advisor relationships are built on trust and results — and Shawn and Matias have earned that trust by truly understanding what advisors need to succeed,” said Krupp. “They bring deep expertise and long-standing industry relationships, and their leadership ensures both continuity and fresh thinking in how we support our partners.” 

Global AKTG Advisory Board

The inaugural Global AKTG Advisory Board is an initiative being spearheaded by Taylor. The board will include industry leaders from around the world with expertise in selling products within AKTG’s luxury portfolio.

Although appointments are ongoing, AKTG has announced the following members of the new advisory board:

USA/Canada/Caribbean new members: Damian McCabe, McCabe Travel; Karen Magee, VWT a Chase Travel Company; Katherine Norton, Brownell; Cristina Buaas, CSB Travel; Aida Silva, Tully Luxury Travel; Stephen Smith, Direct Travel; Laura Asilis, Travelwise.

Latin America/Spain: Omar Servin, Amparo; Mario del Duca, NUBA; Marcelo Ortiz, Traveliz;  Maurice Padovani, Primetour de Viagens; Paola Prieto, NAO.  

UK: Edwina Lonsdale, Mundy Cruising; Fiona Pearcy, The Travel Network Group; Kirsten Hughes, Travel Counsellors; Jacqueline Dobson, The Vacation Group (Internova). 

APAC: Anthony Goldman, Goldman Travel Group; Melinda Gregor, Gregor & Lewis Bespoke Travel; Chervin Chow, Blue Sky Escapes.