Dario Rustico, Vice President Sales and Marketing of Costa Cruises, has been voted by Arabian Travel News as one of the top 50 most powerful and influential players in the travel and tourism industry in the Middle East in 2010.
With Rustico representing pioneers in the cruise industry, this year's Arabian Travel News Power Top 50 list also includes airline chiefs, tourism board heads, hospitality executives, travel technology and experts. The list represents the high achievers who shape the travel landscape in the Middle East as well as make phenomenal contribution to the industry.
Costa Cruises, Italy's largest tourism group and Europe's number one cruise company, was the first to market regular cruises in the Arabian Gulf, turning Dubai into a major cruise hub and contributing to its growth as a tourism destination. In 2009, Costa Cruises made a total of 32 stopovers in Dubai and brought in a total of 140,000 passengers to the Emirates, which gave a significant boost in the travel industry.
For the fifth winter in a row, the Italian company is offering 7-day cruises in the Arabian Gulf, a destination that Costa was the first company in the world to sail regularly. News for Grand Prix fans in winter 2010/11: excursions to "Ferrari World" and the Yas Marina F1 circuit in Abu Dhabi. Costa's itinerary in the Emirates starts with 2 nights in Dubai continues with one-day calls at Muscat (Oman), Al Fujairah (United Arab Emirates), Abu Dhabi (UAE), Bahrain and ends with an additional overnight stay back in Dubai. The deployment of two ships will consolidate Costa Cruises' market leadership in the region. In the 2010/11 winter season Costa expects approximately 150,000 passenger movements in Dubai (+7% compared to the previous year) with a total of 31 port calls, while there will be 30 calls at Abu Dhabi with a total of 75,000 transit passengers (+15% compared to 2009-2010).
Costa Luminosa will tender 13 sailings from November 29, 2010 to March 14, 2011, while Costa
Deliziosa will provide 15 sailings from December 19, 2010 to March 27, 2011.
As the Vice President Sales and Marketing of Costa Cruises, Rustico oversees all sales and marketing activities of the brand throughout Asia Pacific and China, and has overall responsibilities for the region's long term strategic growth, developing the overall sales strategies and strengthening the sales team.
