| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 18/09/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 45 |
| Copyright: Other |
Amtrak sets out latest sales training
AMTRAK’S newly appointed international sales manager, Malcolm Smith recently visited the UK to outline new initiatives to the trade.
The US rail organisation wants to improve sales staff training of the product, including reservations and ticketing and explore ways of increasing rail-based options in operators’ programmes.
Smith, previously sales and marketing director for Texas Tourism, aims to boost Amtrak’s presence in the market following growing general interest in US rail travel.
New Amtrak product coming on line includes shorter duration regional rail passes, such as the variable California Rail Pass and a five-day Northeast Rail Pass. Final durations and pricing have yet to be confirmed.
The initiatives are part of the company’s ‘Rail Around the USA’ marketing campaign, designed to highlight the various products and fares priced specifically for the international market.
Travelpack is one of the US specialist operators that have increased the rail-based content of their programmes this year.
It introduced a section of rail tours based on Amtrak services. These include an eight-day, New York, Boston, Washington DC and Philadelphia inclusive tour.