Costa Cruises has promoted Francesco Muglia (pictured right) to CCO and Luigi Stefanelli (pictured left) as Vice President worldwide sales.
In his new role, Muglia’s is responsible globally for marketing, communication, trade marketing, sales and onboard revenues. He continues to report to Costa President, Mario Zanetti.
Reporting directly to Muglia, Stefanelli takes on a new role of Vice President worldwide sales.
Stefanelli will be responsible for Costa’s commercial activities in all markets of Southern Europe (Italy, France, Spain, Portugal), which he will continue to manage directly, as well as DACH (Germany, Switzerland, Austria), the Americas (North and South America), and international markets (Northern and Eastern Europe and emerging markets).
“I am thrilled about Luigi’s appointment following his excellent work in the main source markets. Luigi is a key partner in defining the commercial strategy and I am convinced he can give a great boost to Costa’s commercial development and the execution of our strategy,” said Muglia.
Stefanelli joined Costa in Genoa in 2012 in the pricing & revenue management department. Since then, he has held increasingly responsible roles in various countries serving first as business development & pricing director for the Asia Pacific & Australia region, spending three years in Shanghai.
Upon returning to Europe, he became general manager for the Costa and AIDA brands in Austria & Switzerland, and later for Central Europe.
Since 2019, he has gradually taken on responsibilities for Spain & Portugal, France, and Italy, becoming AVP for Southern Europe in 2023.
