Lori Innamorata has been named business development manager for Costa’s New York state and western Connecticut regions, announced Scott Knutson, vice president of sales for Costa Cruise Lines—North America. In her new position, she will report directly to Bill Dwyer, director of field sales for Costa North America.

Innamorata has more than 20 years of experience in the travel industry, most recently as director of sales and marketing for Amhsa Marina Hotel and Resort, a Dominican-based hotel operating chain with over 5,000 rooms spread across various tourism-heavy areas on the island including Punta Cana, Puerto Playa and Samana. In this position, she created a U.S. sales office for the company in 1998, managing all day-to-day operations. Prior to this role, she was director of sales for Friendly Holidays, a tour operator based in Lake Success, New York.

“Lori has a wealth of experience in the travel industry, particularly in selling European style vacations to North Americans. Naturally, this makes her the perfect fit for helping agents best sell Costa to their clients,” said Knutson. “Our travel agent partners are going to not only appreciate her sales and marketing savvy, but her enthusiasm and passion for travel sales.”

Innamorata lives in Long Island with her husband and three children.