Pacific Beachcomber, owner of Paul Gauguin Cruises since August, announced the completion of the company’s post-acquisition management transition. Effective immediately, the company said Richard Bailey will serve as chairman, president and CEO of Paul Gauguin Cruises, replacing acting President and CEO David Giersdorf.

“We are ready as the new owners of Paul Gauguin Cruises to assume our full role in managing the company from this point forward,” said Bailey, who also serves as managing director of Pacific Beachcomber. “It was terrific of David to agree to continue in his role for several weeks following the acquisition of Paul Gauguin Cruises by Pacific Beachcomber. He has been invaluable in both the ownership and operational transition.”

Paul Gauguin Cruises was acquired in August 2009 by Pacific Beachcomber, which owns the four InterContinental Resorts in French Polynesia: Intercontinental Tahiti Resort, Intercontinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort, Intercontinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa, and Intercontinental Moorea Resort and Spa. The company also owns and manages the Maitai Hotel on Bora Bora and is developing a luxury eco-resort called “The Brando" on the late actor’s private island.

Bailey said Giersdorf’s accomplishments over the past year in defining and launching the Paul Gauguin Cruises brand, leading the team, establishing and expanding valuable relationships in the travel community contributed greatly to Paul Gauguin Cruises being an attractive business opportunity for Pacific Beachcomber to pursue. “We hope to continue to draw on his talents in the future,” he said.

For his part, Giersdorf said he was honored when the prior owners of Paul Gauguin Cruises approached him late 2008 and asked his company, the Giersdorf Group, assist them in establishing a stand-alone company and brand to prepare for continued operations of the Paul Gauguin following the completion of the agreement with Regent Seven Seas Cruises to manage the vessel at the end of 2009. Earlier this year Giersdorf assumed the role of acting president of Paul Gauguin Cruises for six months and that involvement was extended through the closing of the sale transaction to ensure a smooth transition.

“Our combined efforts in developing and bringing the 2010 product to market; implementing a comprehensive marketing, sales and reservations platform for the company; and helping achieve an 2009 occupancy rate above 95 percent are significant accomplishments that we’re all very proud of,” said Giersdorf. “I am pleased that the new owners are now fully prepared to put a long-term management structure in place. Given the demands of Giersdorf Group, it has not been possible for me to be a full-time resource, but I will, of course, continue to be available to support the Paul Gauguin Cruises team.”

In 2010, the 332-passenger Paul Gauguin will offer a choice of 38 itineraries, ranging from seven to 15 nights, including visits to Tahiti, the Society Islands, Tuamotus, the Cook Islands, Marquesas, Tonga, Fiji and New Zealand. For more information, call 800-848-6172 or visit Paul Gauguin’s Travel Agent Center at www.pgcruises.com.
 

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