Eric Assam Joins Hornblower Group as Senior Vice President of Revenue Management
Eric Assam Takes the Helm in Revenue Management at Hornblower Group
On November 25, 2024, Hornblower Group announced a pivotal addition to its leadership team with the appointment of Eric Assam as the Senior Vice President of Revenue Management and Merchandising. Reporting directly to CEO Mike Flaskey, Assam is poised to influence the strategic direction of revenue management at Hornblower, a global leader in experiences and transportation. His role encompasses overseeing pricing strategies, merchandising, loyalty programs, inventory management, and distribution channel strategies, all aimed at driving revenue growth aligned with Hornblower’s core business objectives.
A Proven Track Record of Success
Assam arrives at Hornblower Group with a robust background in revenue management and operational efficiency. His most recent role was Executive Vice President at Capital Vacations, where he showcased his prowess in developing and executing significant revenue-generating initiatives. During his tenure, Capital Vacations witnessed consistent growth, with contract revenue soaring from $32 million in 2018 to an estimated $285 million by 2023. Moreover, the company’s Volume Per Guest experienced an impressive rise from $2,500 to over $4,000 between 2018 and the end of 2022. Assam’s revitalization of the Capital Club loyalty program resulted in an 80% increase in occupancy rates during off-peak periods, underscoring his ability to create effective strategies that resonate with customer needs.
Leadership Endorsements
"Eric has a proven track record of shaping successful revenue strategies for major hospitality companies, and I'm thrilled that he is bringing his talents to our team," remarked Mike Flaskey, the CEO of Hornblower Group. Flaskey emphasized Assam’s accomplishment in tailoring customer experiences to enhance loyalty, hinting that this experience would be crucial in meeting the ambitious growth objectives set by the company.
Prior to his impactful role at Capital Vacations, Assam had an impressive eight-year stint at Diamond Resorts. There, he played an instrumental role in elevating the company’s profile in the industry, bringing it from a position within the top 15-20 to a remarkable number 3 standing in 2015. His tenure also resulted in improved customer service metrics; notably, he successfully reduced call center answer times and dropped calls while increasing ancillary revenues by 50%.
A Vision for the Future
Expressing his enthusiasm for joining Hornblower Group, Assam stated, "I'm thrilled to be joining Hornblower Group to build on the company's amazing portfolio of experiences. I look forward to working with the talented team to execute innovative and customer-focused strategies as we look to expand our global footprint." Assam will be based in Hornblower Group's Orlando office, a strategic location that will allow him to collaborate closely with teams across various areas of the company.
Moreover, Assam's extensive career includes nearly two decades in various sales and marketing roles at Wyndham Vacation Ownership, adding depth to his impressive resume. He holds a bachelor's degree in marketing and organizational development from the University of Colorado, firmly grounding his strategic insights in robust academic knowledge.
The Hornblower Group Legacy
Founded on a century-long legacy, Hornblower Group stands as a titan in the realm of experiences and transportation. The company manages a diverse portfolio of offerings that include water-based experiences—such as dining and sightseeing cruises—as well as land-based adventures like food and walking tours. Additionally, it provides essential ferry and transportation services. The Company’s City Experiences division serves as a flagship for diverse customer experiences, and Hornblower Marine, its subsidiary, specializes in vessel maintenance services.
Hornblower Group's remarkable global reach encompasses destinations across a dozen countries and territories, supporting more than 50 U.S. cities and serving over 20 million guests annually. With headquarters situated in San Francisco, California, the company boasts additional offices in major cities such as Boston, New York, and London.
As Hornblower Group embarks on a new chapter under Eric Assam’s transformation-focused leadership, the company is expected to enhance its offerings and strengthen its market position significantly. The journey ahead promises to be an exciting one, and stakeholders will be watching closely as Assam implements his vision for growth and innovation.