Celestyal has announced the appointment of Janet Parton in the new role of vice-president of business development, UK, Europe and Australia.

Parton has 20 years’ experience in the travel industry, working across a number of sectors including cruise, tour operating and retail.

She joins Celestyal from the Globus group, where she was sales and marketing director for Cosmos and Avalon Waterways. Prior to that she was head of sales UK for MSC Cruises.

She currently chairs the CLIA Specialist Cruise Committee and is a member of the ATAS Trade Engagement Committee.

Parton’s primary focus at Celestyal will be on developing and executing the strategic business development plan for her designated region of responsibility, according to a statement.

She will also position and build UK, European and Australian distribution to support the business.

Celestyal has ‘huge ambition’

The company’s chief commercial officer Lee Haslett said: “I am delighted to welcome Janet to Celestyal and am confident that her strong business development and leadership skills, along with a keen commercial sense and a proven track record of leading and motivating high performing teams in the travel sector, will prove invaluable as we continue to broaden our presence in key markets.”

Parton added: “Celestyal is a company with huge ambition and I’m relishing the opportunity to help them achieve their objectives of increasing their presence in key international markets, as well as consolidating their position as the leading provider of the award-winning, multi-destination holiday experiences in Greece and the eastern Mediterranean.”

In May, Celestyal also welcomed Tobias Klitsch as vice-president of global market development and Beth Hulett as global market development manager.

The operator’s new ship, Celestyal Journey, will also start passenger operations this September.