AVIAREPS, an international representation, marketing and communications company for aviation, tourism, hospitality, and food & beverage brands, has appointed Tom Fecke as Global Head of Cruise (pictured).
He will oversee the cruise line department and will be responsible for expanding the company’s service portfolio for cruise lines worldwide.
With over 25 years of experience in the travel and cruise industry, Fecke brings expertise in sales, marketing, and strategic development.
He previously held sales and leadership roles at Travelport, Avis Rent a Car, Sabre and RCL Cruises and was Secretary General of CLIA’s Brussels office and lobbied the interests of the European cruise industry.
The cruise industry has seen a strong global recovery after the pandemic, with passenger levels rising 6.8% in 2023 above those of 2019 across all regions.
In 2024, the global cruise market generated a value of $8.9 bill and is projected to reach $18.4 bill by 2030.
This reflects a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.9% between 2025 and 2030.
Cruise lines worldwide are preparing to meet this demand, with 37 new ships currently on the orderbook through 2028.
Under Fecke’s management, AVIAREPS will grow its cruise representation department, offering market research, travel trade development and PR, sales and marketing activities.
From organising trade shows and agent training sessions to managing media relations and call centre support, AVIAREPS helps cruise operators strengthen their presence, grow their passenger numbers and expand to new markets.
Thomas Drechsler, COO Tourism at AVIAREPS, said: “The cruise industry is evolving, and so are the expectations of our partners. We want to be more than a representative; we want to be a strategic partner who understands how to deliver measurable value in each market.
“Tom’s experience on both the cruise operator and association side adds a new dimension to our capabilities, and we are excited to have him lead this next phase of growth,” he said.
Fecke added: “I’m very pleased to join AVIAREPS at a time when interest in cruising is clearly on the rise again. What drew me to the company is the combination of global presence and strong local expertise. It’s a powerful mix for cruise lines looking to grow internationally.
“My goal is to work closely with our teams and our partners to tailor smart, practical solutions that deliver real results in their target markets,” he said.
