Pierfrancesco Vago becomes Executive Chairman
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| Gianno Onorato |
With almost 30 years’ experience in the cruise industry, Onorato has a thorough understanding of the cruise business and extensive experience in senior executive leadership, serving as President of Costa Crociere for more than nine years. (Biography follows)
He graduated from the Istituto Orientale of Naples with a degree in Foreign Languages and Literatures in 1983, and specialized in business administration at SDA Bocconi in Milan and INSEAD in Fontainebleau.
“I am thrilled to have been appointed to this exciting role and I am also particularly excited to move to Geneva, where MSC Cruises’ headquarters is based,” said Onorato. “I will do everything I can to add value to the company and help MSC Cruises maximize its industry-leading position. I look forward to starting work with the management team in this significant moment of the company’s growth.”
Pierfrancesco Vago will continue to lead the privately held cruise company in the role of Executive Chairman, while scaling up the scope of his duties. From his new position he will also oversee all other companies of the MSC group that have strategic relevance to the tourism sector.
“Our company has gone through a period of rapid expansion, with ten new ships built in just under ten years, three new prototype classes of ship created and 45 offices opened around the globe,” said Vago. “I am confident that the appointment of Gianni will consolidate our management structure, building on its existing strengths and boosting the company’s development plans even further.”
Vago has been leading MSC Cruises since 2003, when a 6 billion euro investment plan was put into place, transforming the company from ‘the new kids on the block’ to the world’s third largest cruise operator.
Onorato will be based in Geneva at the MSC Cruises headquarters. He will report to the MSC Board of Directors and to its Executive Chairman.
About MSC Cruises
Onboard MSC’s twelve vessels, guests enjoy the Mediterranean way of life. From the hospitality to the dining, guests are enveloped in the Mediterranean manner of enjoying life to its fullest. Onboard guests are encouraged to slow down and enjoy everything their MSC vacation has to offer. Being a family owned company, the line offer free sailing for kids 11 and younger when sailing with two full fare paying guests in the same stateroom. Children 12 to 17 sail at a reduced rate. MSC Divina will begin sailing year-round from PortMiami, beginning November 20th, 2013.
MSC Cruises is a privately-held, family-owned, Italian cruise line with a fleet of 12 ships: MSC Armonia, MSC Divina, MSC Fantasia, MSC Lirica, MSC Magnifica, MSC Musica, MSC Orchestra, MSC Opera, MSC Poesia, MSC Preziosa, MSC Sinfonia and MSC Splendida. The fleet cruises year-round in the Mediterranean and seasonally in the Caribbean, Northern Europe, the Atlantic Ocean, the French Antilles, South America, South and West Africa and The United Arab Emirates. Starting November, MSC Divina will begin sailing the Caribbean year-round from PortMiami. For more information, visit www.msccruisesusa.com.
Source: MSC Cruises
Biography for Gianni Onorato
CEO, MSC Cruises
Gianni Onorato is Chief Executive Officer of MSC Cruises. He oversees the company’s growth from its Geneva-based headquarters and reports to the MSC Board of Directors and to its Executive Chairman, Pierfrancesco Vago.
Today, MSC Cruises is the market leading cruise company in the Mediterranean, South Africa and Brazil, employing 15,500 staff with offices in 45 countries.
With almost 30 years’ experience in the cruise industry, Onorato has a thorough understanding of the cruise business and extensive experience in senior executive leadership, serving most recently as President of Costa Crociere from April 2004 to June 2013.
He began his career in the industry in 1986, working on board as Food and Beverage Manager before moving shore side to take on the role of Cruise Product Director of Costa Crociere, in Genoa. From 1997 until 2004, he then served as Vice President Cruise Operations for the same company, managing all aspects of on board operations.
Italian born, Onorato graduated from the Istituto Orientale of Naples with a degree in Foreign Languages and Literatures in 1983, and specialized at SDA Bocconi in Milan, Italy, and INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France.
Onorato has also held a number of executive roles in tourism and cruise associations. He served as Vice President of ASTOI, the Italian tourism association and was a member of the European Cruise Council, now CLIA Europe, the leading cruise industry association in Europe.
Source: MSC Cruises
