Swan Hellenic Names Gordon Dirker to Lead Americas Sales

Swan Hellenic has named Gordon Dirker senior vice president, Americas, as part of a three-person commercial leadership expansion focused on travel-trade sales across North and South America. Jennifer Zammit joins as senior director, Canada sales, while Jane Martin becomes sales director, National Host Accounts.

The appointments put dedicated leadership over regional strategy, Canadian trade development and U.S. host-agency relationships. The line calls the Americas a key growth market. The company operates a three-ship expedition fleet of SH Minerva, SH Vega and SH Diana, with vessels carrying 152 to 209 passengers on itineraries that include Antarctica and the Arctic.

Dirker will report to Mario Bounas, chief commercial officer, and oversee sales strategy, trade partnerships and business development for the Americas. He previously served as Swan Hellenic’s vice president of sales, North America, during the company’s 2022 relaunch, and Swan Hellenic said that prior tenure gives him immediate familiarity with its product and trade relationships.

Dirker has more than 25 years of cruise and travel-sector experience. His previous senior roles include positions with Celestyal Cruises, Hurtigruten, TTC Group, Clipper Vacations and, most recently, Cruise Norway - Worldwide Expeditions.

Zammit joins from Rocky Mountaineer, where she was key account manager for Canada. She has also held commercial roles with Huntington Travel Group and Globus Family of Brands, and her new remit at Swan Hellenic centers on expanding the brand’s Canadian sales presence and developing trade partnerships.

Martin will manage host agencies, consortia relationships and national account development in the United States. Her background includes senior roles at Keytours Vacations, Norwegian Cruise Line, Apple Vacations and Delta Air Lines.

Swan Hellenic did not disclose sales targets for the Americas appointments or announce additional trade programs tied to the leadership changes. The announcement also did not include comments from Bounas or from Dirker, Zammit or Martin.