Jaco Gouwes 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 TUI Musement as president, North America.
Gouws will be leading the TUI Musement teams and operations across the USand Canada, includingairport operation and vacation packages, plus turnaround, port agency and shore exursions for Intercruises.
Simon O’Sullivan heading to Europe
He takes over from Simon O’Sullivan, who is moving to Europe to take charge of a region there.
‘It is a fantastic opportunity to learn and grow in our industry,’ Gouws told Seatrade Cruise News. ‘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.
