Travel Agent - June 9, 2008 - (Page 59)

Costa Cruises' new president Maurice Zarmati stands with his impressive wine collection ª and, I remember, all I saw was Costa.º Zarmati' s stay in Italy was brief. In 1959, Zarmati, his mother and father, who would later work in hospitality for Pan Am, boarded the Christopher Colombo on a course to America. Sharp Wits Sail Ships When they left the port of Genoa, he turned to his mother and said, ª Look how beautiful it is; I'l l never see it again.º By the time he arrived in the States, he turned to his mother again. ª I will never step foot on a ship again for the rest of my life,º he said. Once the ad at the University of Miami brought him to Carnival, Ted Arison' s promise of a chance to climb the ladder was fulfilled. Gianni Onorato, president of Costa Crociere, placed Zarmati at the top of North America operations. Famously, Ted' s son Micky Arison, now the chairman and CEO of Carnival Corp., flexes no influence when it comes to filling positions in any of Carnival' s 11 brands. The company' s meritocracy has benefited Zarmati, even though he has been a lifelong friend and confidant of Arison, having grown up in the business together. Zarmati points to their mutual trust and the tremendous respect he has for Arison, whom, he says, is very much similar to his father: humble and private, but sharp-witted. Rather, Zarmati' s years helping lead and mold Carnival Cruise Lines' sales force was the key driver behind his rise. A little bit of strut and aplomb probably helped his cause, too. (He answered that travel ad in college with, ª Mr. Arison asked me to call him.º ) CONTINUED ON PAGE 60 June 9, 2008 TravelAgent | 59

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - June 9, 2008

Travel Agent - June 9, 2008 Online Now Contents Contributors From the Editor From the Publisher Pacific/Asia: Hong Kong’s Kowloon District Honors Chinese Traditions while Brandishing Cutting-Edge Style Hawaii: Nature Lovers with an Urge to Get Out and Move Flock to Kauai - Hawaii's Garden Isle Pacific Northwest: Washington State has Become the Hot New Destination for Wine Lovers New Zealand: Two New Hotels Make Queenstown Even More Enticing Las Vegas: The Coolest Places to Beat the Heat are the Exclusive Pools at Las Vegas Hotels Central & South America: A Restored Railway Line Offers a New Way to Enjoy Quito Caribbean & Bahamas: Nikki Beach Hotels' Aggressive Expansion Continues Europe: Reporting Back from the German Travel Mart in Munich Cruises: Princess Cruises Introduces a Group Amenity Feature Cover Story: Costa Cruises Delta/Northwest: The Airline Merger that Could Change the Industry Hotels: Historic Hotels are Going Green Spas: Indulging Guests, with an Environmental Focus Agent Profile: Montrose Travel Shares its Secrets Passport Online: The New Website Supports Agents, Supplies and Consortia Agenda: From Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar China Continues to Welcome Visitors Alternative Fuel for Cruise Ships News from the Caribbean ARC Launches Accreditation Program In the Spotlight Agent Access Classified Marketplace Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch

Travel Agent - June 9, 2008

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