Kathryn Beadle will take up the post of UK managing director on November 3 in the newly opened UK offices of the US-based cruise line.
She told TTG the structure of the new UK office was still being decided, but that agents would be able to book directly with the company, although it will still work closely with Titan, through which the line was previously sold.
Beadle, who left Hurtigruten in July, said there were parallels between Uniworld and the Norwegian cruise specialist, as both are niche products.
“They are very different, but the type of people that go on them are them are probably quite similar,” she explained.
“They are people who have travelled, and are more concerned with the experience of a holiday rather than the price. They are people that are used to travelling, but that still have things that they want to discover.”
Beadle revealed that she had recently taken her first river cruise on the line, and says she had been “blown away” by her experience. “I thought it was fantastic – the attention to detail is incredible.”
“Uniworld and Hurtigruten are very different, but the people that go on them are them are probably quite similar”
She insisted that Uniworld would maintain its close relationship with Titan, but said the company had felt now was the right time to expand its presence in the UK.
“Titan have done a superb job, but the product is expanding. Uniworld has got a great new ship launching next year in Europe, and river cruise is growing in popularity. It was felt that now was the right time to open a UK office.”
Uniworld operates 18 ships across Europe, Russia, Egypt, China, Vietnam and Cambodia.
Beadle will report into Uniworld’s president and chief executive Guy Young in LA. Commenting on Beadle’s appointment, he said: “Kathryn’s pedigree and reputation is well established in the UK and she is extremely well placed to lead our UK operation.
“Her strategic acumen, creativity, drive and in-depth knowledge of the industry will all serve to build Uniworld’s profile as the leading luxury river cruise operator in the UK and provide agents the support needed to successfully sell and market Uniworld to their best clients.”
She will be based in London, in the offices of The Travel Corporation, the parents company of Uniworld, which also owns Red Carnation, Contiki, Trafalgar and Insight Vacations.
