Ambassador Cruise Line has strategically expanded its trade division. This comes in response to a need for robust commercial frameworks.
With new appointments and elevations from within, the company aims to enhance engagement with trade partners, ensuring superior support and growth opportunities.
New Strategic Appointments
Ryan Readman has been appointed as the Business Development Manager for trade sales, effective from 3 April. He will report directly to Divisional Sales Managers Louise Tansey and Karen Cameron. Readman joins the team from Scenic Group, where he held the position of trade support executive. His transition to Ambassador Cruise Line marks a significant step in reinforcing their trade sales initiatives.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Readman stated, “I’m very excited to join Ambassador Cruise Line at such a key time in its journey.” His focus will be on promoting the premium-value offerings of Ambassador to agent and trade partners, optimising mutual business opportunities.
Internal Promotions
Ambassador has internally promoted Andrew Santry to the role of Business Development Executive. Previously, Santry was contributing as a Senior Reservations Specialist within the contact centre, a role that honed his skills for this elevated position.
Simultaneously, Katie O’Doherty has taken on the role of Reservations Assistant Manager. With over 20 years of experience, Michelle Shields will join the reservations team as a specialist on 19 April, alongside Rebecca Dedman, appointed for the same role on 24 April. These changes underscore the brand’s commitment to leveraging experienced talent within its ranks.
The Role of the Trade Team
Nicola Harper, the Head of Distribution at Ambassador Cruise Line, expressed her delight with the recent appointments and promotions. Her comments highlight the strategic emphasis on enhancing the functionality of the trade team, which is pivotal in maintaining robust relationships with trade partners.
Ambassador Cruise Line values its trade partners highly, and Harper has stressed the importance of providing them with the necessary support and tools. The expansion of the trade team is seen as a crucial move to increase store visits, training sessions, and ship visits, fostering stronger connections.
The recruitment drive reflects the strategic direction towards a more dynamic and responsive trade interface, tailored to meet partner needs comprehensively and effectively.
Recruitment and Expansion Plans
Ambassador Cruise Line is in the process of recruiting additional Business Development Managers, focusing on groups and the northern regions. This expansion aims to broaden their geographical reach and support an increasing portfolio of trade partners across diverse demographics.
The planned recruitment falls in line with their vision to enhance operational scalability and flexibility. By securing key roles, the company supports its ambitious growth targets through sophisticated market engagement strategies.
Travel Agent Concession Programme
In a complementary initiative, Ambassador has outlined its travel agent concession programme for 2023/24, now in its second year. This programme is designed to provide agents with first-hand experience of the cruise line’s flagship vessels, Ambience and Ambition.
This initiative not only enhances agents’ understanding of the product but also strengthens their ability to market cruises effectively. Through immersive experiences, agents are better equipped to convey the unique value propositions offered by Ambassador Cruise Line.
Providing such opportunities underscores the strategic intent to align agents closely with brand values and elevate the quality of partnerships through tangible experiences.
Significance of Recent Developments
These appointments and strategic initiatives underscore a significant recalibration of Ambassador Cruise Line’s commercial approach. With a keen focus on strengthening the trade team, the cruise line is poised for enhanced market interaction and improved partner relations.
Each move is aligned with broader objectives of increased market penetration and service optimisation. By leveraging experienced personnel and strategic appointments, Ambassador Cruise Line is reinforcing its competitive positioning.
Looking Ahead
The recent developments within Ambassador Cruise Line are paving the path for a more dynamic engagement with trade partners. The strategic appointments and expansions are set to deliver a robust support system as the company continues its growth journey.
As Ambassador Cruise Line embarks on this ambitious expansion, the focus remains on establishing resilient trade relationships. The initiatives are designed to ensure enhanced support and mutual success for both Ambassador and its partners.
