Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group has overhauled its trade sales leadership structure in the Americas, appointing Debra Fox as Chief Sales Officer – Trade and expanding the roles of two senior executives as the company pursues an aggressive growth agenda across its portfolio of luxury travel brands.
Fox, who now carries global responsibility for trade sales across all AKTG flagship brands — Abercrombie & Kent, Crystal, A&K Sanctuary, Cox & Kings and Ecoventura — reports directly to CEO Cristina Levis. The restructuring is designed to sharpen support for travel advisors across the Americas while preserving distinct brand identities within the group’s expanding portfolio.
Beneath Fox, Matias Lira takes on an expanded mandate as Senior Vice President of Trade Sales Americas, adding oversight of field trade sales for all AKTG brands, business development and MICE sales to his existing responsibilities. Shawn Johnson, previously focused on national accounts, steps into a broader role as Senior Vice President of National Accounts, Trade Loyalty & Events, Americas, with his remit now extending across all AKTG brands. Johnson will work closely with Lira to ensure continuity for the A&K field and inside sales teams, and will lead development of a new trade loyalty program while elevating the company’s flagship advisor events.
“This structure allows us to deliver even more focused support to our trade partners than ever before,” said Fox. “We are elevating our already best-in-class trade sales organization through a strengthened structure and the joint leadership of Matias and Shawn, whose deep advisor expertise and clear focus on unlocking new sales opportunities will drive even greater value for our partners.”
The leadership changes come as AKTG pursues what the company describes as unprecedented portfolio expansion. Abercrombie & Kent is rolling out new destination management companies in key markets and adding A&K Sanctuary properties including Gorilla Forest Lodge in Uganda, the Pure Amazon riverboat in Peru and Baines’ Lodge in Botswana.
Crystal, meanwhile, is pressing forward with its relaunch following the multi-million-dollar refurbishment of Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, both currently operational. The brand recently reclaimed the top position in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards for mid-size luxury ocean ships in 2025 and has announced Crystal Grace, its first new-build ocean ship in 25 years. Scheduled for delivery in May 2028, the 650-guest, all-suite vessel will feature generous public spaces, world-class dining and one of the highest crew-to-guest ratios in the luxury segment. The company has also secured financing for the refurbishment of two additional ships.
Related Articles
Viking Announces New Mississippi and Ohio River Voyages for 2027
Four Seasons Toronto Appoints Chelan Goonetilleke as New GM
Is Crypto the Answer to Luxury Travel’s Payment Problem?
Ensemble to Host 2026 Beyond Extraordinary Experiences in China