AmaWaterways took the plunge last year, appointing Steve Richards as Managing Director of its first-ever ANZ regional office. He leads a team of experienced sales executives to provide support and build relationships with local travel partners amid river cruising demand in the region.
Richards is joined by the regional sales manager team of Brisbane-based Christine Oliver, managing Queensland, WA and NT; Melbourne-based Kim Vaughan, who will look after Victoria, SA and Tasmania; and Sydney-based Kylie Chapman, responsible for NSW, ACT and New Zealand.
Completing the executive team are Ian Lyne as Head of Reservations and Head of Marketing Angela Smith, bringing extensive experience in customer service and marketing, respectively.
Through AmaWaterways’ local team, advisors can reserve 2025 river cruises on more than 35 itineraries across a fleet of 29 custom-designed ships operating in Europe, Africa, Asia and South America.
The new team is now taking reservations via the US call centre, which will support them until the local reservations centre is operational later this quarter.
Commitment to the ANZ region
Mr Richards said: “There is an incredible opportunity to offer our entire product range in this market.”
“We know Aussies and Kiwis are astute travellers and with more than 70 Celebration of Wine cruises, a special Grand River Cruise series of curated two-week itineraries and more than 20 optional pre- and post-cruise land packages, there is a river cruise journey sure to please whether guests are travelling on their own or with friends and family.”
AmaWaterways Co-Owner Gary Murphy said of the new appointments: “I’m thrilled with the dream team we have brought together to launch our full range of remarkable river cruises to the Australian and New Zealand markets.”
To reserve an AmaWaterways river cruise for your client, call 1800 867 126 or email AmaAU-NZ@amawaterways.com
Find out more at amawaterways.au