New Key Appointments for Silversea’s Europe, Middle East & Africa Sales Organisation

Jan 24, 2014 – Silversea has announced the appointment of highly experienced and respected cruise industry executive Tina Kirfel to the new position, General Manager and Sales & Marketing Director Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). As head of the region, she will report directly to President EMEA & Asia Pacific, Steve Odell and will be based in Silversea’s Frankfurt office.

Tina spent the last 13 years with luxury sector operator Hapag Lloyd Kreuzfahrten GmbH. Most recently she held the position Director of Sales & Partnership Marketing responsible for field sales, cross marketing and call centre.

Additionally, to increase Silversea’s attention and focus on the German-speaking markets, Andreas Nuessel currently Sales Manager Switzerland & Austria is promoted to the new position of Regional Sales Director, Germany, and Austria & Switzerland (DACH). He will report directly to Tina Kirfel and will be responsible in leading the sales team in these three critical markets.

The entire EMEA regional sales & marketing team including Thomas Harrison, Alessandra Cabella and Silvia Semeria, will now all report directly to Tina Kirfel who will take up her new position in early April.

‘The EMEA region holds unlimited potential for Silversea, especially in the German speaking markets where we opened a dedicated Silversea sales office in Frankfurt in 2012. ’, commented Steve Odell, President EMEA & Asia Pacific. ‘As we look to the future we are absolutely delighted to have Tina as part of our management team. Through her deep knowledge, experience and passion for the luxury cruise sector she will be an excellent new leader in our business. ‘

EMEA encompasses all regional markets with the exception of UK & Ireland which continues to be managed by Mike Bonner, General Manager and Sales & Marketing Director, based in Silversea’s London office.

About Silversea Cruises
Silversea Cruises, which is chaired by Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, is recognised as an innovator in the luxury cruise line industry, offering guests large-ship amenities aboard its intimate, all-suite vessels: Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper and Silver Spirit – all designed to offer an atmosphere of conviviality and casual elegance. With the inclusion of the expedition ships Silver Explorer, Silver Galapagos, and Silver Discoverer (debuting March 2014), Silversea Cruises’ itineraries encompass all seven continents and feature worldwide luxury cruises to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, both polar regions and over 700 fascinating destinations in between.

In the US, Silversea has been voted “World’s Best” by the readers of Condé NastTraveler (nine times) and Travel + Leisure (seven times), and awarded “Best Luxury Cruise Line” by CruiseReport.com (2012) and “Best Small Ship Cruise Line” by Global Traveler (2013). International awards include “Five Star Diamond Award” from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences (2013); “Best Small Ship Cruise Line” in the Readers’ Choice survey conducted by Britain’s Condé Nast Traveller magazine (2013); “Best Luxury Cruise Line” by Australia’s Cruise Passenger magazine (2012); “Best Small Luxury Cruise Line” by China’s Travel + Leisure (2012); and “Star Luxury Cruise Company” according to UK’s Travel Bulletin (2013).

SOURCE: Silversea Cruises