Costa Crociere has restructured its commercial division, creating a new “emerging markets” department.

Said Franco Pellicari, senior vice president of sales and commercial: “Our ambitious objectives, which will require a considerable effort over the next three years, require a structure that is even tougher and more competitive than it is already. The increase in capacity means we are committed to search for new customers both in Italy and abroad.”

Piero Lanteri, who carries the title of commercial director at the Italian company, also becomes emerging markets director. His focus will be to develop new foreign markets, particularly in Eastern Europe, where the travel industry and tourism are just beginning to take off, according to Pellicari.

In addition, Pellicari also believes there is still room for growth in Italy, where he said Costa already commands a 50 percent market share.

Thus, a new Italian sales director, Carlo Schiavon, has also been named, whose previous position as tour operations manager will be assumed by Marco Rosa.

Lanteri joined Costa in a sales capacity in 1975 and became sales director for the Italian market in 1993, prior to being named commercial director. Schiavon joined Costa in 1993 and rose to the position of tour operations manager, which at Costa means overseeing all aspects of accommodations, flights and transfers for passengers and crew. Rosa previously served three years in Costa’s London office and was also in charge of upgrading Costa’s reservations system.

Also marketing actively in Eastern Europe and Russia is Festival Cruises.