Interview with Joe Maloney, Vice President of US Sales & Marketing | Travel Research Online

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Interview with Joe Maloney, Vice President of US Sales & Marketing

Joe MaloneyJoe Maloney began his career in the travel industry in the late 80s, working as a Tour Director throughout the USA, Canada, and Europe. He transitioned into travel sales and marketing in the mid-90s, and has been involved in developing sales through various channels ever since.

After 9/11, through listening to the needs of major accounts in a rapidly changing industry, Joe became a champion for CRM systems and applications designed to address concerns and evolving needs defined by his agency partners. The CRM applications Joe oversaw ultimately won significant recognition and business with many of the largest agency entities and earned him a reputation as a committed and loyal champion for agencies who partner with him.

Joe has been at Scenic Cruises since October of 2013. Prior to Scenic, Joe held senior positions at Tauck, Trafalgar, Insight Vacations, and The Travel Corporation; his industry travels have taken him to all seven continents over his career. He resides in Andover, MA with his wife Kathy and their two daughters.

Travel Research Online (TRO): What originally peeked your interest to pursue a career in the travel industry?
Joe Maloney (JM): I started as a tour director out of the love for travel and the educational opportunities that it brings.

TRO: You’ve been in the travel industry for over 25 years. How have your experiences, including your time spent operating as a Tour Director, prepared you for your current position at Scenic Cruises?
JM: The early frontline experiences have created an innate appreciation for the needs of the guest.

TRO: What are some of the challenges you face as Vice President of US Sales and Marketing? How do you overcome these obstacles?
JM: Building brand awareness has been the biggest challenge so far. After brand awareness, ensuring consistency in the execution of our vision.

TRO: What do you enjoy most about your job?
JM: Leveraging strong relationships cultivated over decades of working with the agency community.

TRO: What are some of the fundamental principles of Scenic Cruises that are beneficial to travelers wanting to plan a trip?
JM: Scenic Cruises is an all-inclusive product line that is designed to take away any concern for additional cost’s once our guests are with us. Our fleet of ships are the newest, most spacious on the European rivers – constantly being refurbished and updated to keep to our standards. Being all-inclusive allows us to deliver the highest onboard service. Personal butlers for every guest, unlimited drinks all-day, and all tipping and gratuities are just a small sample of amenities we provide each and every guest. A critical principle of Scenic Cruises is offering included shore excursions, sometimes multiple, at every port as well as exclusive events which only Scenic guest’s will experience.

TRO: Over the span of your career, you’ve had the opportunity to travel to all 7 continents. Out of all the destinations you’ve traveled to, what has been your most memorable experience?
JM: My most memorable experience was my trip to Antarctica. Every single day was more fantastic and surreal than the previous day. That trip was like being on another planet.

TRO: Since you’ve been with Scenic, in what ways have you seen the company grow and evolve?
JM: We started every conversation with no one knowing who we are, now we are faced with an overwhelming demand as the Scenic Cruises awareness grows.

TRO: What can travelers and travel professionals expect to see from Scenic Cruises in the near future?
JM: More destinations – on the Douro, Mekong, Irrawaddy & we will also be selling Antarctica & much, MUCH more…

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