A&K Travel Group Expands Trade Sales Team

A&K Travel Group, the parent company of Abercrombie & Kent and Crystal has promoted several executives and added new hires to its trade sales team, including a new vice president of trade sales at Crystal.

“With strong forward bookings and a record year of 2023 sales, the successful relaunch of Crystal, and an amazing group of new sales leaders, we are poised for great success,” said chief sales officer Marett Taylor. “We remain dedicated to our travel advisor community and equipping our sales team to deliver the highest level of service. We have robust plans to expand educational opportunities, invest in sales and marketing resources, and offer other initiatives to help our trade partners grow their business.”

At Crystal, Glen Rothe has joined as vice president of trade sales. He will be responsible for managing trade relationships and sales. Rothe brings 30 years of experience to the job, including more than a decade at Norwegian Cruise Line. He will be recruiting four new sales directors for North America and multiple inside account executive roles, covering both U.S. and Canadian trade partners. He is based at the line’s Aventura (Fla.) office.

Also at Crystal, Jacqueline Leyva has joined as vice president of trade reservations, air and turnaround operations. She will provide reservations leadership support for both North America and LATAM trade partners. Leyva also brings 30 years of industry experience, having worked at SeaDream Yacht Club, Cunard, and Atlas Ocean Voyages.

Additionally, Sharla Smith has joined Crystal as regional sales director for the Central USA. She brings more than 20 years of experience in the cruise industry, with past sales roles at Scenic, Paul Gauguin, and Royal Caribbean.

Several current A&K Travel Group team members have also been promoted including:

• Shawn Johnson, senior vice president, sales, North America for A&K
• Jay Warren, vice president, North America, A&K, A&K DMCs, and Sanctuary Retreats
• Oscar Dunn, vice president cruise sales, A&K and Crystal
• Kim Guimaraes, vice president, national accounts, A&K and Crystal
• Stephen Loughlin, national accounts business specialist, A&K and Crystal