A Letter from Chris Austin, Long time ACTA supporter
Dear valued ACTA partner,
It is with great pleasure that I write today from my office in Seattle, having assumed the role of Senior Vice President of Global Marketing and Sales for Seabourn, the World’s Finest Ultra Luxury Cruise Line. I’m now in my third week and could not have written a more perfect way to start the next chapter of my career in an industry I am passionate about. Over the past three weeks, I have had the opportunity to have firsthand experience of both our newest ultra-luxury ship, Seabourn Encore, and to also see the beautiful Seabourn Sojourn. Our fleet is the newest and most modern in the ultra-luxury cruise segment and presents an unrivaled opportunity for all of you, our trusted partners. I’ve met guests and partners aboard our ships, our Seabourn team both on the ships and shoreside, and I can share I’m truly excited for this next chapter.
I’m sure many of you are asking why I moved from the hotel industry to the cruise industry. Well simply put, I've long admired the cruise sector and Seabourn, its president, Rick Meadows, and the exceedingly talented global team who work at Seabourn. I’ve realized a dream at a time when the cruise sector has enviable momentum, and I aim to capitalize on that moving forward. I will bring a fresh outlook to Seabourn –from my perspective, our ships are luxury hotels traversing the oceans of the world, delivering unparalleled guest experiences that only Seabourn can offer. Seabourn Encore truly embraces my vision as we tapped Adam Tihany, a much lauded veteran of hospitality design, to completely design and outfit the ship from bow to stern. We are now preparing for Seabourn Ovation to join our fleet which will begin her inaugural season in Europe of May 2018.
I’d like to take the opportunity to thank you all for your past, present and future support. I've always been – and will continue to be – a champion for the travel professional and worked hard to earn the loyalty of travel professionals around the world. My mantra remains steadfast, which is to simply for the entire team at Seabourn to do the right thing each and every day in support of the travel professional and your association, to earn your trust and loyalty, support your profit potential, make our partners the hero and exceed client expectations.
I look forward to meeting old friends and making new ones as I travel across Canada in the near future and I welcome the opportunity to listen to you and share with you how the Extraordinary Worlds of Seabourn can support our mutual growth.
You also will not be surprised that I have my first major ask…. The ACTA members have been a key driver of Seabourn’s business for many years. Our fleet expansion has enabled us to return to Alaska this summer for the first time in 15 years. I ask your help to build awareness among your network and encourage bookings; thus insuring us a successful season and a successful growth in business to all our companies’ mutual advantage.
Wishing you all the very best and please feel free to reach out at any time.
Very best regards,
Chris
Chris J. Austin
SVP Global Sales & Marketing
Seabourn Cruise Line
O: 206-626-9127
M: 206-601-7858