Education & Scenery Highlight Second Annual TMP on the River

Some 90 travel advisors and their guests are gathered on the AmaViola this week for the second annual Travel Market Place (TMP) on the River.  The one-week FAM/conference hybrid officially kicked off Saturday evening with a cocktail reception, hosted by Sandra Gardiner, director of national accounts for Canada at AmaWaterways and TMR publisher Brian Israel.

“Our first TMP on the River last year was incredibly successful,” Israel said. “Combining the extraordinary experience that AmaWaterways offers with the educational component of our TMP shows, which are the best travel trade shows in Canada, gives participants the best overall FAM experience possible. It gives them everything they need to market, plan, and sell river cruises when they get home.”

During the seven days of the sailing, advisors can take advantage of five educational sessions, including one on how to create better photographs, how to work with local and trade media, and how to use A.I., including hands-on, interactive exercises.

For two days of the cruise, advisors, who come from both Canada and the U.S., also have the chance to mix and mingle with AmaWaterways’ chief operations officer John Burrows.

Throughout the Best of Danube River sailing (an all-new itinerary for the line), advisors are also immersed in the AmaWaterways’ experience, will a full schedule of excursions in every port of call, nightly entertainment, and more.

“This unique collaboration not only offers an unforgettable journey through Europe’s iconic, breathtaking waterways, but also equips travel advisors with the knowledge and tools and strategies to grow their business and maximize their revenue potential. Together we are elevating the future of travel entrepreneurship- one river at a time,” Gardiner added.

The conference piece of the schedule kicked off Sunday morning with a session from photographer Dan Galbraith, followed by a session on A.I. with Rita M. Perez of Take the Helm a marketing strategy consultant who taught advisors how to use A.I. to analyze their social media voice and create a posting strategy to follow while traveling.

During Burrow’s Monday afternoon presentation, he revealed a few new aspects of the AmaWaterways product offering including new river cruise options in Southern Africa, and new pre- and post- options in Germany, Lake Como, and Galicia (Spain), among others.