Advantage Travel Partnership CEO is Company’s First British Godmother
CALABASAS, CA – (January 17, 2019) – AmaWaterways today announced Advantage Travel Partnership Chief Executive Officer Julia Lo Bue-Said as its first-ever British Godmother. As Godmother of the highly anticipated 102-passengerAmaDouro, Bue-Said will bless the ship during a ceremony in Porto, Portugal, on April 12, 2019.
“We are so pleased that Julia has accepted our invitation to be Godmother to AmaDouro,” said Kristin Karst, executive vice president and co-owner of AmaWaterways. “A huge part of our success is due to our very important trade partners, and Advantage has been incredibly supportive of us as we continue to grow our brand in the UK. For that reason and others, Julia is a welcome addition to our family of Godmothers.”
As CEO of Advantage, the UK’s largest independent travel agent partnership, Bue-Said is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations, as well as overseeing the strategic efforts and overall vision for the company. A seasoned industry veteran, Bue-Said started her career overseas and held various positions at Thomas Cook, Balkan Holidays and The Best Travel Group before joining Advantage, where she has worked for more than 20 years. In 2012, she was inducted into the Women’s 1st Top 100 Club for Travel and Hospitality.
“I am very excited to take on this role and truly humbled to be AmaWaterways’ first UK Godmother,” said Bue-Said. “This honor comes during a milestone year as Advantage celebrates our 40th anniversary. AmaWaterways commitment to the UK trade is testament of the opportunities developing partnerships create, and we fully support their commitment to drive more business through our members.”
Stuart Perl, managing director of AmaWaterways UK added, “Our UK office opened only two years ago, but in that time, we have built close relationships with the UK travel trade, increasing our brand awareness and leadership in the market. We have seen a 30 percent increase in revenue from last year and nearly 40 percent increase in forward bookings year-to-year. These achievements would not be possible without the incredible support we have received from our travel industry partners, and we are proud to have Julia as our first UK Godmother.”
AmaDouro offers 51 spacious, elegantly designed staterooms, most with outside balconies to enjoy beautiful views of hills and vineyards along the UNESCO-designated Douro River Valley. Additional amenities include a Panoramic Lounge for nightly entertainment, a heated Sun Deck swimming pool, fitness room, massage room and the company’s renowned cuisine at the Main Restaurant, serving regionally-inspired dishes and hand-selected wines.
Joining sister ship AmaVida on the Douro river, AmaDouro will be based in Porto and offer seven-night roundtrip Enticing Douro cruises through one of Europe’s most unspoiled areas. AmaDouro is the first of three new ships that will be added to AmaWaterways’ innovative fleet this year. Other new ships making their debut include AmaMora, sister ship to AmaLea and AmaKristina, sailing on the Rhine, and the revolutionary AmaMagna on the Danube.
About AmaWaterways
A family-owned company celebrating 17 years on the river, AmaWaterways offers unforgettable river cruises with 23 ships sailing Europe’s Danube, Rhine, Moselle, Main, Rhone, Seine, Garonne, Dordogne, Dutch and Belgian Waterways and Douro Rivers, Southeast Asia’s Mekong and Africa’s Chobe River. The company is renowned for its innovative stateroom design featuring unique “twin balconies”; its wide choice of included shore excursions featuring biking and hiking options for the active traveler; and its award-winning dining—including The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant as well as complimentary fine wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner. Modern, spacious and tastefully decorated, each ship features onboard amenities such as hair and massage salons and a fitness room, and many have heated outdoor swimming pools with swim-up bars. AmaWaterways leads the river cruise industry in innovation including the upcoming launch of AmaMagna, who at twice the width of traditional river ships, will offer a new dimension in luxury river cruising. The company also offers a variety of themed sailings and brand relationships, with sailings geared towards active travelers and families as well as group and charter options.
With the highest-rated ships in Europe according to the third edition of Berlitz: River Cruising in Europe & the USA, AmaWaterways has received countless honors and accolades including Cruise Critic’s Editor’s Pick Award for “Best for Active Cruisers” and 2018 AFAR Reader’s Choice Award for “Best River Cruise Line.”