AmaWaterways recently expanded its outside sales team as the river cruise company continues to expand. The line is poised to continue its growth in 2011 with the addition of three new or totally refurbished vessels to its fleet: AmaVerde in Europe, AmaKatrina in Russia and AmaLotus in Vietnam/Cambodia, bringing its total number of ships to 12. As demand for its product grows, AmaWaterways hopes that the increase of its outside sales team will be able to further strengthen its ties with the travel agent community.
New sales team members include Charles Van Elten as director, field sales. Van Elten most recently served as the general manager for Kuoni Tours in Atlanta and has more than 25 years of experience in the travel industry, including many years in the river cruise business and positions with Grand Bahama Vacations, Budget Rent A Car and Avis Rent A Car. He will be based at the AmaWaterways headquarters located in Chatsworth, Calif.
Diane Curchy Horan, CTC, has been named business development manager, Florida. Horan previously represented AmaWaterways for three years, and has more than two decades of experience in the travel industry working with Rocky Mountaineer, Australia Pacific Touring and other suppliers. She is based in Central Florida and her territory includes the entire state.
In the Western U.S., Denise M. Kelly, CTC has joined AmaWaterways as business development manager for Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. Her background includes serving as a national account manager for Travel Bound and business development manager positions with Kuoni Tours and Grand Canyon Railway and Resort (a Xanterra Company). She has also been a marketing representative for the Cayman Islands Tourist Office and held management positions with AAA Mid-Atlantic Corporate, as well as serving as a lead travel consultant for Rosenbluth Vacations.
“We are extremely thrilled with the addition of Charles, Diane and Denise to our AmaWaterways sales team,” said Kristin Karst, AmaWaterways executive vice president and co-owner. “Each of them not only brings a wide array of travel industry experience to the table, but also a unique appreciation for the key role that travel agencies play in the success of AmaWaterways. We feel incredibly lucky to have professionals of their caliber join us during this very important time in the growth of our company.”
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Diane Curchy Horan, CTC, business development manager for Florida // © 2011 AmaWaterways
Denise Kelly, AmaWaterways business development manager for Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah // © 2011 AmaWaterways
