Costa Cruises appoint Francesco Muglia and Luigi Stefanelli in its key leadership roles: Here’s what you need to know about

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

Costa Cruises has announced significant changes to its commercial organization as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance integration and drive value creation within the business.

The company has appointed Francesco Muglia as Chief Commercial Officer and Luigi Stefanelli as Vice President Worldwide Sales, marking a strategic evolution in its leadership structure.

In his new role, Francesco Muglia will oversee all commercial functions globally, including Marketing, Communication, Trade Marketing, Sales, and Onboard Revenues.

This expanded role reflects Costa Cruises’ focus on strengthening its commercial operations and ensuring consistent growth across its business sectors.

Reporting directly to Muglia, Luigi Stefanelli will take on the position of Vice President Worldwide Sales.

He will be responsible for managing Costa’s sales activities across various key regions, including Southern Europe (Italy, France, Spain, Portugal), DACH (Germany, Switzerland, Austria), the Americas, and International Markets such as Northern and Eastern Europe and emerging markets.

Stefanelli, who has been instrumental in leading Costa’s growth in major source markets, will continue to oversee the Southern Europe region directly.

Commenting on the appointment, Francesco Muglia said, “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, 39, from Naples, has been with Costa since 2012 and has held various senior roles in Pricing & Revenue Management, Business Development, and General Management across different regions.

His extensive experience includes time in Asia Pacific, where he was based in Shanghai, and leadership roles in Central Europe and Southern Europe. He was appointed Associate Vice President for the Southern Europe Region in 2023.

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.”

The leadership changes come as Costa Cruises continues to focus on commercial growth and innovation in the cruise industry, positioning itself for long-term success in both established and emerging markets.

Tags: Austria, Costa Cruises, Cruise Industry, eastern europe, france, Francesco Muglia, germany, Italy, Portugal, southern europe, spain, Switzerland, the Americas