INDUSTRY VETERAN MARONA HEADS UP EXOTISSIMO NORTH AMERICA

Lee Marona, a 35-year travel industry veteran, has joined Exotissimo Travel Group to head up Exotissimo North America. One of the leading inbound tour operators in South-East Asia, Exotissimo is a specialist in travel to Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand.


Marona describes himself as an ‘old Asia hand’ when it comes to sending Americans and Canadians abroad. During the Vietnam War Marona lived in Saigon and travelled throughout the country on special assignment with Trans America Airlines, the world’s largest charter airline in the 1970s. After having served as Vice President of Sales for Royal Cruise Line, he went on to found his first company in 1980, Passages. Passages, along with companies like Linblad, was one of the first companies in the USA to send tourists to China. Marona was responsible for expanding Passages’ product range offering South-East Asia including Indochina during his tenure there.


Marona says “Despite being well-known to European tour operators, the Exotissimo name is not known all that well in North America. With long established sales offices in France and Spain and representation in the UK, Germany, Australia and Singapore, it was time for Exotissimo to develop its presence here, and I feel I am the right person to help them achieve that. Having just finished traveling throughout South-East Asia with Exotissimo I can’t begin to tell you how impressed I was with the region in general, and specifically with the professionalism of Exotissimo. As a further seal of approval few tour operators, especially those catering to North Americans, can say they are the sole appointed representative of American Express Travel Services Network in their country as Exotissimo are in both Vietnam and Cambodia. In addition to being the American Express representative Exotissimo also operate service offices in the US embassies and consulates in Vietnam and Cambodia. That alone speaks volumes about Exotissimo, their financial stability and their attention to service and detail.”


Marona looks forward to developing relationships primarily on the B2B level with US and Canadian tour operators and travel agents. Exotissimo claims they can do “anything that’s doable” in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand and Mr. Marona says, “That’s our mantra. Ask, and ye shall receive! Our staff here in San Francisco is here to work with agents and tour operators bringing them and their clients the very best in responsive service.”


Contact Lee Marona and his team at :


Exotissimo North America, Inc.

301 Howard Street, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105 USA

Phone: (415)538-8687

Toll free: (877)396-8687 (877-EXO-TOUR)

Fax: (415)538-8680

Email: infoEXO@exotissimo.com