| Costa’s Rustico farewells Australasia

Dario Rustico says it’s been “a
hell of a ride” as he returns to
Italy for a new role.
COSTA Cruises’ vice president of sales and
marketing in the Pacific Asia region, Dario
Rustico, has accepted a new position
overseeing the company’s development
across the Mediterranean, Africa, Middle East,
India and the Indian Ocean, as well as Costa’s
offices in Switzerland and Austria.
The new role will see him relocate to the Genoa
headquarters after six years based in Hong Kong.
Rustico’s vacated position will be taken up
by Buhdy Bok, the current vice president of
China operations, whose extended position
will now also include all Pacific Asia
operations, effective 1 Jan 2012.
Rustico told Cruise Weekly that Costa would
continue to pursue the same strategy in the
region, with no other staff changes in the
sales, marketing and operations departments.
“The Oceania team will remain unchanged,
as well as our intention to further strengthen
our local distribution network,” he said.
“Costa is actually strengthening its presence
in the region, increasing capacity by 40%
during 2012.”
Rustico also said he would maintain his
interest in Australia, which he has regularly
visited over the past decade.
“A lot of agents ultimately became my
friends and not just business partners so I will
surely keep in touch and continue to be the
first fan of the Australia market, from afar.”
He described his experience in the region as
“a hell of a ride” and did not rule out a return.
“Who knows if I won’t be back in the
future,” he said.