Global Ports taps IGA-Istanbul Airport’s CCO as focus on retail sharpens

EUROPE. The former Chief Commercial Officer at IGA-Istanbul Airport, Mert Basar, joined Global Ports Holding (GPH) this month as Chief Commercial Officer replacing Mark Robinson.

Robinson has become Head of Business Development for Asia Pacific and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

GPH made a big investment in retail at Barcelona Cruise Port last year
Mert Basar was responsible for designing and executing Istanbul Airport’s commercial strategy

GPH, which runs 21 ports in 13 countries, has introduced port and destination services across its portfolio in recent years. These have included a push to drive retail operations under the stewardship of Robinson who joined the company in February 2018. In July, the company also issued a Request for Proposal for a travel retail partner to run retail areas in the ports of Malaga, Zadar, Cagliari and Catania.

In his role at IGA, where he worked for almost two years, Mert was responsible for designing and executing Istanbul Airport’s commercial strategy, overseeing aeronautical and non-aeronautical activities. He had various senior roles at top Turkish telecommunications companies such as Turk Telecom and Turkcell before that.

Commenting on the changes, GPH Chief Executive Officer Emre Sayin said: “I expect Mark’s wealth of cruise industry experience will prove to be invaluable to our business development aspirations in both EMEA and Asia Pacific.

“I am also delighted to welcome Mert (whose) experience and knowledge of commercial operations at such an important aviation hub (as Istanbul) will be just as invaluable in helping us deliver on our short and medium-term objectives for ancillary services across the business.”

Mark Robinson becomes Head of Business Development for Asia Pacific and EMEA

In separate news, GPH’s joint venture, Creuers Del Port de Barcelona (Creuers), which had an 80% stake in the concession for Malaga Cruise Port, has bought the remaining 20% stake for €1.5 million. It was owned by Malaga Port Authority.

The transaction is in line with GPH’s strategy to buy out minority shareholdings when such opportunities arise. Looking at the future potential for drumming up more cruise business at the location, Sayin said: “Malaga’s port facilities, hotels and airport make it a truly world-class international homeport and transit port. It also serves as a gateway to beautiful Andalucia.”

President of Malaga Port Authority Carlos Rubio added: “This transaction highlights the importance of Malaga as a tourist destination and will allow the cruise terminal to significantly increase its offer of services, both to passengers and shipping companies.”

Malaga Cruise Port manages all three cruise terminals in the Port of Malaga with piers that can receive cruise ships of any size.

Global Ports Holding is 59.3% owned by Global Ports Holding BV, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Global Investment Holdings listed on Borsa Istanbul. The remaining 40.7% share capital is a free float on the London Stock Exchange.

Food & Beverage The Magazine eZine