| Face to Face: Marc Letourneau National Sales Manager, Club Med

Welcome to Face to Face, where we chat to cruise industry leaders.

How and why did you get into the cruise Industry?
I started working for Club Med in 1998 and it was a dream of mine since I holidayed with my family as a kid. I
always wanted to travel in life. I have been offered this transfer from Canada six years ago now and loving Australia!
What is the key to your success?
I believe in working with a great team that has both the experience and creativity.
How many cruises have you been on in the past five years?
My first cruise was last August aboard Club Med 2, a trip of a lifetime!
What is your favourite destination, and why?
On this cruise, I visited Santorini as part of a Turkey-Greek islands cruise. The 8am Santorini arrival was sensational.
What was your most memorable moment on a cruise?
On Club Med 2, every evening when the ship sails off, they play the Christopher Columbus movie song while the
sails go up. Everybody sips champagne and you can’t help but thinking we are pretty fortunate to experience such moments. All the locals wave you goodbye as you sail off on that majestic white sail ship.
How do you spend days at sea?
A mix of local tours some days and others just staying aboard enjoying the pools and watersports on offer. Club Med 2 does not travel during
the day so it allows for waterski and sailing from the back of the ship when anchored at bay.
How can cruising continue to grow in the current financial climate?
Club Med 2 has a unique positioning with a fully all-inclusive concept and consumers certainly get real value for money. New destinations is always of interest.
What do you think is the most underrated/overrated aspect of cruising?
I think many people I know think that being on a cruise means they can’t get out and experience local cultures which is not the case at all.
Most overrated is when consumers believe cruising is all-inclusive and is not always the case.
What is your best tip for sea-sickness?
Don’t party too “hard” on your first night … get plenty of sleep to make sure you start the cruise well rested.
What is your prediction for the future of cruising?
I believe cruise consumers will be interested a lot more in boutique sailing ships vs mega-cruiseliners.
What advice would you give other people who want a job like yours?
You must like to travel and understand that tourism industry is very resilient so good to persevere as there is always goods news and new destinations to discover!

Marc’s Cruise Favourites!
Favourite Ship: Club Med 2 sailing ship of course
Favourite ship activity: Snorkelling trips in the bay where the ship is anchored.
Favourite shore excursion: Especially loved driving around Santorini on a quad bike with friends
Favourite region: Europe in summer
Favourite port: Santorini (so far …)
Favourite onboard food: Fresh lobsters … can’t do better than that
Favourite perk of the job: Travelling around the world