PONANT Explorations Group has announced the appointment of Benoit-Etienne Domenget (pictured) as Chief Executive Officer, effective 03 Nov (CW breaking news yesterday). He brings 25 years of experience in hospitality, luxury travel, and tourism to Ponant, and will be tasked with further driving its continued development. Domenget was most recently...
PONANT Explorations Group has announced the appointment of Benoit-Etienne Domenget (pictured) as Chief Executive Officer, effective 03 Nov (CW breaking news yesterday).
He brings 25 years of experience in hospitality, luxury travel, and tourism to Ponant, and will be tasked with further driving its continued development.
Domenget was most recently CEO of Sommet Education, one of the world’s leading luxury hospitality schools.
Francois-Henri Pinault, Chief Executive Officer of Ponant’s parent company, said he is delighted to welcome Domenget to the firm.
“His extensive and diversified experience and expertise in strategic fields for our company will give him all the assets to make Ponant Explorations Group an ever-stronger and more innovative player in the luxury and responsible cruise sector,” Pinault said.
Domenget takes over from Herve Gastinel, who led Ponant for almost five years.
“We warmly thank Herve Gastinel for his unwavering commitment to the group,” Pinault said.
“Under his leadership, the fleet has grown from 12 to 20 ships, and Ponant Explorations Group has successfully diversified its activities, in particular by entering river cruises, and new formats, such as the Spirit of Ponant,” Pinault added.
The company recently introduced a new brand, Ponant Yachting, to formalise its growing catamaran yachting division (CW 11 Sep). MS
