PONANT announced a significant new role for Sarina Bratton AM as the company’s Senior Strategic Advisor and Honorary Chairwoman Asia Pacific.
As Senior Strategic Advisor, she will work closely with the global CEO on strategic opportunities worldwide including mergers and acquisitions.
“The growth of Asia Pacific cruises has had a profound effect on the accelerated growth of the company,“ said CEO Hervé Gastinel.
Bratton has been with PONANT for a decade and established the business entity and structure in Australia.
The primary focus at the time was Australasia, expanding then to APAC.
The company then had four ships while APAC revenue was less than 1%.
Now, it has 13 ships, and Asia Pacific cruise revenue represents 20%.
“It has been personally rewarding to see the company grow, our people grow, and the meaningful contribution our operation brings to Australia and Australians,” Sarina said.
The fleet includes PONANT’s iconic three-masted sailing yacht Le Ponant and the company’s newest vessel, luxury icebreaker, Le Commandant Charcot.
Brattan, often referred to as Australia’s ‘First Lady’ of cruising, was the first woman to create a cruise line, with Orion Expedition Cruises.
She became a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2014 Australia Day Honours for services to tourism, especially the cruise industry.
