Quark Expeditions has named David Marathakis as its new director of sales, Americas. Marathakis officially joined the team earlier this month, bringing with him over 15 years of extensive experience in the travel industry and a solid track record in leadership roles across the travel sector.
“With a wealth of industry knowledge, David is set to play a key role in our pursuit of delivering world-class polar experiences,” says Beth Mercier, senior director of global partnership sales. “His appointment reflects our commitment to fostering strong relationships with our partners and driving innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of travelers. We are excited to see the impact David will have in expanding our reach and delivering exceptional service to our partners and guests in the Americas.”
Marathakis’s career in the travel industry began as a trip manager with Contiki Holidays in Europe. After relocating to North America, he advanced through various roles within The Travel Corporation (TTC), ultimately becoming director of sales for its Touring Brands. Most recently, Marathakis served as the country manager for Canada at RateHawk, a prominent hotel consolidator.
“I am thrilled to join Quark Expeditions during this crucial phase of the company’s evolution,” says Marathakis. “With a highly skilled sales team across North America, which was once again honored as the leader in expedition cruises at Virtuoso Travel Week for the second consecutive year, it is an exciting time to contribute to delivering exceptional service and unique experiences to our partners and guests.”
Joining Marathakis in strengthening Quark Expeditions’ sales efforts is Randolph TenEyck, who brings with him a passion for adventure travel in his new role as area sales director, focusing on the eastern United States. TenEyck began his career as a reservations agent before transitioning into outside sales roles. Over the years, he held increasingly senior positions, including business development manager for an all-inclusive resort company and an airline consolidator.
“Travel has and always will be my greatest passion,” says TenEyck. “I am excited to bring my skills and experience to the team at Quark Expeditions and contribute to the company’s ongoing success. I’m thrilled to embark on this new journey and help deliver unforgettable experiences to our guests.”
Marathakis' and TenEyck’s arrival coincides with several new initiatives at Quark Expeditions aimed at enhancing the travel advisor experience, including the recent launches of Quark Expeditions’ Quote & Hold tool and Travel Advisor Marketing Center, both available on the Partner Portal. Additionally, as part of Quark’s Ultimate Summer in the Arctic Sweepstakes, 10 dedicated travel advisors have the chance to win an Arctic FAM trip of a lifetime on the upcoming 13-day “Ultimate Arctic Voyage from Svalbard to Jan Mayen to Iceland” in July 2025. Advisors can enter by registering at the sign-up page and collecting points through activities such as making bookings, attending webinars, and sharing content until September 30, 2024.
To learn more about the recently voted “Best Expedition Cruise Line” and traveling to the Polar Regions with Quark Expeditions, visit www.quarkexpeditions.com/partners.
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