Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group Forms Global Advisor Panel
The new structure brings brand-specific leadership and formalized advisor input across all key markets.
Photo: Dinuka Iankaloka / Unsplash
Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group is restructuring how it works with travel advisors worldwide, introducing its first multi-brand Global Advisory Board and aligning senior trade leadership with a sharper brand focus across Abercrombie & Kent and Crystal.
Under the leadership of Marett Taylor—now Chairman, Global AKTG Advisory Board & Trade Relations—the board will bring together top agency leaders from the U.S., Canada, Latin America, the U.K., Europe, and APAC to advise on product development, market trends, and trade initiatives. For luxury sellers, it’s a notable move: a formalized mechanism for feeding local market insights directly into global decision-making at one of the industry’s most influential portfolios.
The inaugural roster features advisors with deep reach into their respective regions, from McCabe Travel’s Damian McCabe in the U.S. to Goldman Travel Group’s Anthony Goldman in Australia. Meetings will be held several times a year with AKTG executives, providing what the company describes as “advisor-driven innovation from a global perspective.”
Taylor, who also joins the board of A&K Philanthropy, will continue to represent AKTG at high-profile industry events, like Virtuoso Travel Week, PURE, Signature Travel Network meetings, and ILTM Cannes. Her expanded remit comes as Shawn Johnson and Matias Lira retain senior vice president roles with more clear brand alignment: Johnson will oversee Abercrombie & Kent trade sales in North America, while Lira will lead Crystal’s trade engagement in the Americas, U.K., and EMEA, as well as both brands in Latin America.
The structural shift will make it easier to navigate AKTG’s growing portfolio—brands with distinct positioning now have dedicated senior contacts in each key market. Additionally, the advisory board’s remit suggests a more proactive approach to co-creating products that match regional client demand, from expedition cruises in emerging wildlife destinations to new culinary-focused itineraries.
The changes come amid strong momentum. Crystal’s relaunch has been buoyed by forward bookings, two ships in service, and plans for two more vessels by 2028. Abercrombie & Kent continues to expand its DMC network and launch new products, from private jet journeys to small-group expeditions in Madagascar and Sri Lanka.
AKTG is also rolling out an enhanced digital trade portal designed to streamline bookings and arm advisors with marketing assets, high-resolution imagery, and real-time inventory access across both brands.
