Meet Ralph de Klijn
Ralph de Klijn's journey through the hospitality and cruising sectors has been nothing short of remarkable. Originally from the Netherlands and having spent significant time in Switzerland, Ralph has been shaping the industry from his UK base since 1996. With over twenty years of experience, he brings an invaluable perspective to the global hospitality scene.
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Renowned for his strategic foresight, Ralph has a knack for leveraging data-driven insights to spearhead innovative change. His distinguished career includes pivotal roles at esteemed cruise lines such as Silversea, Seabourn, and Regent Seven Seas. His tenure at Viking Cruises is particularly notable, where he played a key role in launching six new ships and revitalizing guest experiences, achieving substantial cost savings and a significant increase in onboard revenue.
In 2021, Ralph took his expertise to the entrepreneurial stage with iStrive Ltd. More recently, he co-created Transcend Cruises, a groundbreaking B2B river cruise company set to launch new vessels in 2026. Ralph also serves as a Senior Advisor to a private equity group, where his strategic acumen has led to roles such as interim COO at CFC-Croisieres, steering yet another venture towards success.
Ralph's list of achievements includes pioneering the first full-dome planetarium at sea, which garnered recognition in TIME Magazine’s “World’s Greatest Places to Stay.” His strategies have not only enhanced revenue streams and guest satisfaction but have also driven profitability and operational efficiency across the cruise industry.
Fluent in English and Dutch, and proficient in German, Ralph's ability to navigate the complex global market is enhanced by his multicultural and multilingual skills. Engage with him, and you'll discover a leader committed not just to innovation and strategic growth but also to ethical and sustainable industry practices. Ralph continues to inspire new generations of hospitality professionals.
Connect with Ralph de Klijn and embark on a journey toward a future of unmatched success in the hospitality world!
Meet Johan Halvarsson
Johan Halvarsson is a seasoned executive with a robust international footprint, having led operations across four continents in the hospitality sector. With an exemplary track record in managing luxury, family, and all-inclusive business models, Johan's expertise is in elevating service standards and profitability across diverse markets. His strategic approach combines meticulous benchmarking and a relentless drive for continuous improvement, setting new paradigms in delivering premier accommodations and multidimensional guest experiences.
Unrivaled Industry Expertise: As a venerated authority in hotel, resort, and cruise line management, Johan has accumulated over 20 prestigious awards. His deep understanding and innovative management practices have significantly shaped the luxury accommodation landscape.
Remarkable Profit Boosts: Known for his strategic prowess, Johan has been instrumental in designing and implementing growth plans for startups and established brands alike. His efforts have notably increased profitability for a conglomerate managing assets worth $250M and employing over 1,000
professionals.
Board & Stakeholder Relations: Johan is dedicated to maximizing stakeholder value, adeptly balancing the needs of executives, owners, and shareholders. His contributions extend to serving on and consulting for various executive boards and committees, where he is highly regarded for his insights and strategic guidance.
Grooming the Next Generation: Geared towards entry level, supervisory and leadership development, Johan has developed training curriculums and structures for all positions within hospitality and culinary, academies aimed towards key cruises, crew sourcing markets in South east Asia as well
as hospitality and tourism sector in the Caribbean in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma and Maria. He inspires teams to exceed expectations by fostering a culture of excellence and clear, visionary leadership.
Risk Mitigation: Expert in crisis management, Johan has developed comprehensive contingency plans for health and safety, including pandemic response strategies covering a range of scenarios from Covid-19 to natural disasters.