HX Appoints Industry Veteran Steve Smotrys as Managing Director & SVP Of Commercial In The Americas

Smotrys to Drive Further Growth in B2B and B2C Partnerships and Sales

London, UK, 2^nd Oct 2024 – HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions), the world’s oldest and leading expedition cruise company, has today announced that Steve Smotrys will take up the new role of Managing Director & Senior Vice President of Commercial for HX in The Americas. This strategic hire underscores the company’s commitment to enhancing its presence in one of the most vital markets for travel.

Smotrys, a respected figure in cruise and travel industry brings decades of experience and a proven track record in driving commercial sales and fostering strong partnerships. His appointment follows the company’s successful recent fam trip which took place two weeks ago, during which HX hosted over 200 travel partners on a bespoke expedition cruise from Vancouver to Seattle. The event marked the largest trade event of its kind to date for the company and highlighted the company’s dedication to collaboration but also reinforced the significance of the Americas market in its global strategy.

As MD & SVP of Commercial, Smotrys will spearhead the development and execution of the ongoing strategy aimed at expanding trade sales across the United States and Canada. His extensive background and cruise industry insights will be pivotal in building further relationships and creating innovative solutions that cater to the evolving needs of travel advisors and partners.

“We are excited to welcome Steve to our team,” said Alex Delamere-White, Chief Commercial Officer for HX. “Steve’s leadership and vision will be instrumental as we continue to strengthen our presence in the Americas and drive our growth strategy forward. With his expertise, we are well-positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities and enhance our partnerships even further in this key market. As Steve takes the helm for important areas such as our trade sales, I’m confident the company is poised to achieve significant milestones in the coming years.”

Smotrys expressed his enthusiasm about joining HX stating, “I am honored to take on this role at such a pivotal time for the company. I look forward to working closely with our team and partners to unlock new avenues for growth and innovation in the Americas and beyond. I’m looking forward to delivering exceptional travel experiences and building lasting relationships in the industry.”

Smotrys has over 24 years of experience in the cruise industry with his most recent role being Vice President/Head of Global Sales and Trade Relations at Seabourn Cruise Line. Before that, he had roles such as Vice President, North America Sales at Cunard and Revenue Management at Princess Cruises.

In his new leadership role, Smotrys will oversee all aspects of HX's commercial and sales offerings and relationships, leading a strong team of business development managers across the USA and Canada. Smotrys will report directly to Alex Delamere-White, Chief Commercial Officer for HX at will start mid-October.

With his years of industry knowledge in the mainstream cruise industry and his collaborative approach, Smotrys will be looking at how he can distinguish HX in The Americas which offers guests the perfect balance of all-inclusive comfort, adventure and focus on sustainability. HX remains steadfast in its commitment to pioneering expedition travel, offering more itinerary and experience options to remote and transformational destinations such as Antarctica, the Galápagos Islands, Greenland, Northern Alaska and the Canadian Arctic than any other expedition cruise company.

Notes to Editors:

Steve Smotrys – Biography

Steve Smotrys previously led Seabourn’s global sales efforts, overseeing teams that supported the travel advisor community across North America, Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. As a member of the Seabourn Executive Leadership Team, he played a key role in shaping the brand’s narrative, passionately driving storytelling that highlighted transformative travel experiences.

Prior to his role at Seabourn, Steve served as Vice President of Sales and Trade Marketing at Cunard North America, where he successfully drove growth in the US and Canadian markets while enhancing the brand’s visibility within the trade. He began his career with Princess Cruises in 2000 and has held various leadership positions within the Carnival Corporation family of brands, leading teams in Revenue Management, Market Planning, Shore Excursions, and Sales.

With over 24 years of experience in the cruise industry, Steve is dedicated to fostering strong partnerships and delivering exceptional travel experiences that resonate with advisors and guests alike.