Manish Sonar has been named the National Business Development Executive for India and Sri Lanka for PONANT, and he is based in Mumbai. Sonar has a long history in the luxury industry, working in everything from hotels to tour operations to travel management. Between 2017 and 2019, he previously served as a tour guide for rich Indian passengers aboard the fleet of PONANT while sailing in the Arctic and Antarctica.
Sonar will offer business and customer support through local sales assistance to PONANT’s trade partners and local customer services for its travellers, bringing his considerable expertise of the luxury travel sector. His appointment coincides with the luxury excursions company’s development into the Asia Pacific area, where it currently has staff in Sydney, Shanghai, and Tokyo.
PONANT Asia Pacific CEO Chris Hall stated to LATTE that “the addition of Manish to the team is a testimony to our commitment to the Indian market in supporting our trade partners and growing our mutual business.”
The upcoming office opening is mentioned by Sonar, who adds, “The new PONANT office comes at the perfect time as the Asian continent is once again fully open to travel for the first time in over three years.”
“Now that the pandemic is officially over, our travel partners are receiving unprecedented inquiries about luxury expedition cruises, which is exactly what PONANT provides across its fleet, including Le Jacques-Cartier, which has been visiting Indian ports and waters for many years.
“We are thrilled to be able to provide local support to the growing demand and look forward to developing our activities in both India and Sri Lanka,” he stated.
To assist the company’s expansion and give a local presence to meet the country’s surging demand for luxury expedition cruising, PONANT is increasing its presence there. In the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka, and India, Le Jacques-Cartier runs a number of sailings that stop in Colombo, Cochin, Goa, and Mumbai. The ship is the sixth and last in the highly popular EXPLORERS series of sisterships, which can accommodate up to 184 passengers in 92 elegant bedrooms and suites.
Manish brings a wealth of knowledge in the luxury travel industry and will be a great addition to the PONANT team supporting our local trade partners, helping our guests, and developing strategies to further expand our activities in the region, according to Julie Rogers, PONANT Director of Sales for Asia Pacific. We are beyond thrilled to have Manish oversee this new office and be a part of our business development team.
Sonar begins working for PONANT in India full-time this month after a period of intense training in Australia.
Source- travel daily
Link:https://www.traveldailymedia.com/manish-sonar-has-been-appointed-ponants-national-business-development-executive-for-india-and-sri-lanka/
