AmaWaterways eyes agent bookings growth as trade sales team expands

AmaWaterways is expanding and restructuring its sales team to “help foster strong engagement with trade partners”.

The river cruise specialist is moving three team members into newly created strategic roles, while two new regional business development managers (BDMs) are being recruited.

Effective from April 1, Anna Borrer, currently BDM for the southeast, will take on the role of the UK key accounts BDM.

Rachel Simon, BDM for the southwest, Midlands and Wales, and Joanne Smithies, BDM for the north of England, will both move into strategic account manager roles, focusing on building strong, long-term partnerships with AmaWaterways’ major accounts.

Katrina Latimer, BDM for northeast England, Scotland and Ireland, will also move into a strategic account manager role with a focus on retail and consortia head offices.

Meanwhile, AmaWaterways will be recruiting two new BDMs, one to cover the north of England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland and the other to cover the west of England, including the West Midlands and the southwest. Both roles will focus on increasing growth with retail partners by strengthening engagement and developing new business opportunities.

Andrea Stafford, sales director for UK and Europe, said: “Our engagement with the travel trade is a top priority, and we’re constantly looking at ways to deliver the highest level of service, just as we do across our fleet.

“These moves are not only great opportunities for our sales team to broaden their reach and develop professionally, but also a way for AmaWaterways to better connect with key markets and drive business growth. We’re excited to recruit the very best sales talent to join us as we continue to expand our product offering.”