Following a significant review of the senior marketing team, Dan Whitehouse has been appointed marketing director for Saga Holidays and Cruises.

Dan joins Saga in April from Titan Travel where he has been instrumental in the growth and development of the escorted tour operator.

Reporting into Saga’s group marketing director, Stuart Beamish, Dan will be responsible for leading and evolving Saga Travel’s marketing function to drive growth.

Saga recently passed a milestone in the build process for its first ever new build cruise ship, with the steel cutting for Spirit of Discovery. Due for delivery in Summer 2019 and followed a year later by sister ship, Spirit of Adventure, with the build of the two new ships, the company will have more than doubled its cruise capacity. Early sales for Spirit of Discovery have surpassed all expectations.

“I am absolutely delighted to welcome Dan back to such a pivotal role within the new Saga group marketing team, said Beamish. “Dan’s experience makes him perfect for the exciting journey that we are going on at Saga Travel with the build of our new ships and the introduction of our new membership scheme – Possibilities.”

Dan Whitehouse commented, “This is a fantastic time to be returning to Saga. With plans in place to invest in the creation of more exciting new travel experiences, it will leave both new and existing customers thinking ‘wow, I didn’t expect that from Saga’.”

Speaking exclusively to Cruise Trade News, Whitehouse continued: “When I first joined Saga as a graduate trainee in October 1996, Roger De Haan had just announced the purchase of Saga’s first ever cruise ship, the much loved Saga Rose. It’s quite a moment to be returning to the business just over 20 years later as the excitement builds about the launch of our first two, purpose built ships.

“Spirit of Discovery has her maiden voyage next summer and will really take the Saga cruise experience to a new level, leading the way in boutique, smaller ship cruising. The new ships are a statement of where the brand is heading, and I am delighted to be re-joining the Saga team as we embark on this important new chapter.”