Benoit-Etienne Domenget has been appointed as Group CEO at PONANT
Benoît-Etienne Domenget is appointed as Group CEO, effective November 3, 2025. He takes over from Hervé Gastinel, who is leaving the Group to pursue new professional projects.
With 25 years of experience in hospitality, luxury, travel, and tourism, Benoît-Etienne Domenget will have the mission to further drive the Group's continued international development and further strengthen its hallmark of hospitality excellence, while honoring PONANT's unique maritime savoir-faire and the industry's highest environmental standards.
A graduate of HEC Paris, Benoît-Etienne Domenget began his career with Accor Group, holding various operational roles before being appointed Senior Vice-President Development for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. He later led Accor's Swiss subsidiary and managed the low-cost hotel business across the DACH region, overseeing more than a hundred properties.
He then joined Michel Reybier Hospitality, a group owning prestigious hotels, vineyards, and wellness activities, before being appointed in 2017 as CEO of Sommet Education (Glion, Les Roches, École Ducasse, Indian School of Hospitality, and Invictus Education). Under his leadership and notably through a strong international expansion, Sommet Education has been established as the world's leading network in hospitality and luxury management education.