Jaco Gouws is pictured with the AquaDuck on Disney Wish, one of the attractions he currently oversees
Jaco Gouws, senior manager, Port Adventures & recreation at Disney Cruise Line, is joining Intercruises as president, North America.
Gouws, who starts Nov. 14,will beresponsible for all ground handling,including shore excursionsoperations and business development in the USand Canada.
Robert Moroney, head of port operations North America, continues to lead all port agency and logistics operations inNorth America and remains part of the Global Port Operations Team. He’llwork closely with Gouwsto ensure Intercruises continues to leverage the benefits and efficiencies of a joint port agency and ground handling service.
Simon O’Sullivan heading to Europe
Gouws takes over from Simon O’Sullivan, who is returning to Europe with his family. He will remain part of the Intercruises team and from January will lead operations in Northern Europe, Italy and the Balkans.
‘Despite the inherent challenges of the last few years, our team has done an amazing job in supporting our clients and laying the foundations for future growth,’ O’Sullivan said. ‘I am proud of what we have achieved and excited to see Jaco build on this in the future months and years. Mixed emotions for me as I am sad to leave North America, but happy to return to Europe where I have a great relationship with the team, ports and destinations.’
Transition period
Gouws will work closely with O’Sullivan during a transition period in November and December, and inherits an experienced North America senior management team, including Josie Gorosabel, Paul Mitchell and Sharon Johnstone, who leadoperations, and Kevin Johns and Linda Herlihy, who drivecommercial development.
For his part, Gouws told Seatrade Cruise News: ‘It is a fantastic opportunity to learn and grow in our industry. I have had such a wonderful career at DCL and loved my time there. It’s bittersweet to bid them farewell, but the right move for my career and family.’
With Disney since 2009
Gouws joined Disney in 2009 as recreation host, including work as a lifeguard at Castaway Cay, selling tours at the Port Adventures front desk, dispatching tours and working at the pools and water slides on the ships. He advancedthrough various Port Adventures roles, moving shoreside and working in tour research and development.
Becoming senior manager, Port Adventures & recreation in early 2019, heleads global shore excursions, overseeing research, product development and implementation, and managing more than 300 vendors and 4,300 products. The recreation department aspect of the job includes aquatics, water slides and water coasters, lifeguards, animal programming and all sports facilities both shipboard and at Castaway Cay.
Gouws leaves Disney at the end of the month.
Nodecisionhasbeen made about a successor.
