Costa Cruises Announces Key Appointments to Strengthen Commercial Leadership
In a move designed to enhance integration and fuel value creation within the business, Costa Cruises has announced significant changes to its commercial organization. These changes see Francesco Muglia appointed as Chief Commercial Officer and Luigi Stefanelli stepping into the role of Vice President Worldwide Sales.
This strategic evolution in leadership marks a pivotal moment for Costa Cruises as it focuses on bolstering its commercial operations and ensuring sustained growth across all business sectors. Francesco Muglia, in his expanded role, will oversee all commercial functions globally, including marketing, communication, trade marketing, sales, and onboard revenues. This comprehensive oversight reflects Costa Cruises’ commitment to maximizing its commercial potential.
Luigi Stefanelli, reporting directly to Muglia, assumes the position of Vice President Worldwide Sales, responsible for managing Costa’s sales activities across key regions. These regions encompass Southern Europe (Italy, France, Spain, Portugal), DACH (Germany, Switzerland, Austria), the Americas, and International Markets including Northern and Eastern Europe and emerging markets. Stefanelli, who has been instrumental in spearheading Costa’s growth in major source markets, will continue to oversee the Southern Europe region directly.
Francesco Muglia expressed his enthusiasm for Stefanelli’s new role, stating, “I am thrilled about Luigi’s new role. He has been a key partner in defining our commercial strategy, and I’m confident he will significantly contribute to Costa’s commercial development and the execution of our strategy.”
Stefanelli, a 39-year-old Naples native, has been a valued member of the Costa team since 2012, holding various senior positions across Pricing & Revenue Management, Business Development, and General Management in diverse regions. His extensive experience includes a stint in Asia Pacific based in Shanghai and leadership roles in Central Europe and Southern Europe. In 2023, he was appointed Associate Vice President for the Southern Europe Region.
Reflecting on his new role, Stefanelli said, “I am deeply honored by this appointment and excited to work with our exceptional team to contribute to Costa’s success. My experience across different markets has given me a comprehensive commercial perspective, and I look forward to driving results in this expanded role.”
These leadership changes are indicative of Costa Cruises’ unwavering commitment to commercial growth and innovation within the cruise industry. With a focus on long-term success, Costa is poised to thrive in both established and emerging markets, solidifying its position as a leader in the global cruise landscape.
