It’s been two years since AmaWaterways launched here, and the cruise line’s visiting regional director Steve Richards says the brand plans to grow its market presence further, as the average age of its passengers (now 59 years) continues to drop.
Reflecting on the brand’s exponential sales growth, up 700% since launch and 107% year-on-year, Richards says the appointment of local rep Tracey Brennan (pictured above with Richards) has been pivotal to the brand’s cut through in the Kiwi market. “I’m calling it the Tracey Brennam effect in the market,” he quips.
While the current geopolitical ‘headwinds’ resulted in a softening demand and interest for Mar and most of Apr, Richards says in the last couple of weeks, sales and inquiries are ‘definitely picking up again’. In fact, the company last week fielded its busiest week on the phones since Mar, he adds.
“We came off a record Feb, which was, you know, super exciting, high sales in the whole company; then Mar happened, and [impacted sales].”
“We’ve had single-digit percentage cancellations, or very low cancellations. Some shifted to later in the year, and most have shifted to 2027.”
. . . Charter
In Aug Ama will stage its inaugural River Of Rewards charter cruise on the Danube. A 25-person Kiwi delegation will be on board with Richards noting how New Zealand is ‘over indexed’ in terms of representation—with sales ‘per-capita’ higher than Australia. “Kiwi [agents] are definitely punching above their weight’.
Richards says interest and demand for its Colombia product is building, as more Kiwis add the industry-first cruise to their south American itinerary, while Egypt’s been the biggest non-Europe seller. Another standout for Ama, says Richards, has been the rapid growth of its groups business out of New Zealand.
. . . Win A Cruise
AmaWaterways is hosting agent webinars on 10 Jun (at 1030 and 1400) to upskill agents on its product. Those who attend live will go into the draw to win a seven-night Europe river cruise for two among other prizes. Register for the 30-minute update, plus Q&A sessions HERE.
