CSTS Integrated Marketing has been named the general sales agent (GSA) of Greece-based Celestyal Cruises, taking charge of all sales, marketing and customer service activities in Hong Kong.
Launched last December, CSTS is positioned to support international partners such as Celestyal Cruises. The company, a sister company of Connexus Travel (formerly Swire Travel), specialises in enhancing clients’ brand visibility and devising go-to-market strategies through both online and offline channels to maximise awareness and engagement.
This marks CSTS’s first GSA appointment for a cruise line.
Celestyal currently operates two recently refurbished vessels, Celestyal Discovery and Celestyal Journey, each accommodating around 1,300 passengers. Chief commercial officer Lee Haslett said the brand decided to expand further in the Asia-Pacific region following new private equity ownership a few years ago and a recent complete fleet renewal. The appointment of CSTS as GSA represents an investment in marketing perspectives, including training and advice for agents in the market.
Asked about the rationale behind the GSA appointment, Haslett replied: “CSTS also has a strong corporate arm that gives us the opportunity to engage with slightly different market segments we haven’t traditionally reached – such as groups, incentive, and corporate travel.”
He explained that Celestyal operates mid-sized vessels in the Greek Islands, Eastern Mediterranean and Adriatic, offering port-intensive itineraries with minimal sea days. He added that the company is entering the Arabian Gulf, with multi-year agreements to homeport ships in Qatar, Doha and Abu Dhabi, including the eight-day-seven-night Celestyal Journey Desert Days & F1 Thrill Abu Dhabi 2025 sailing from December 4 to 11, 2025.
CSTS general manager William Lau said the cruise business has recovered strongly after the pandemic. He noted that Celestyal offers unique destinations that larger vessels cannot access, with mid-sized ships visiting smaller ports and providing a range of excursions of varying lengths. Lau added that the company aims to establish the brand in Hong Kong and expand into the Greater Bay Area, taking advantage of diverse travel patterns through the city.
He also said CSTS will work with Celestyal to develop special packages, including sports-related offerings. A new team for sports and events has been established to sell products such as cruises coinciding with the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, allowing clients to sail to the event rather than fly.
The collaboration marks a strategic step for both companies as they develop tailored products and strengthen their footprint in the Asia-Pacific cruise market.
