Avanti Names New Sales Director, Launches New Website

Jeannie Kutz has been appointed as Avanti Destinations’ mid-Atlantic regional sales director. She will be calling on travel advisors in New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina, as well the District of Columbia, Manhattan and the eastern areas of both Pennsylvania (to Harrisburg) and Tennessee (to Chattanooga and Knoxville).

A veteran of the travel industry for more than 25 years, Kutz recently served as Northeast regional sales manager for Tahiti Travel Services, a tour operator headquartered in Papeete, French Polynesia. Previously, she managed Northeast regional sales for CroisiEurope, Scenic Luxury Cruises, Air Tahiti Nui, US Airways, Virgin Atlantic Airways, and Virgin Vacations.

“Creating a new region, Mid-Atlantic, out of two larger East Coast regions, Northeast and Southeast, means our travel agent clients in all three regions will now receive more focused service and training.” Kristin Romitti handles the Northeast, and Dawn De Arrastia serves the Southeast. Avanti has a total of seven regional sales directors in the U.S.

“Jeannie’s broad-ranging knowledge of travel and her longtime relationships with agents in the Mid-Atlantic region make her a valuable member of the Avanti sales team, plus her agent clients love her attention to detail,” said John Hanratty, Avanti’s chief marketing officer, whom she reports to.

Avanti has also launched an enhanced agent-friendly website. Up until now, agents had been able to see basic information regarding suggested itineraries, types of products, and destinations on the consumer-facing site, but they could not see pricing or detailed product information, such as the company’s hotel selections.

With the new website, accredited agents can register for and access the password-protected agent portal here, which includes all product information, as well as a dashboard. From their individual dashboards, agents can create, review and modify bookings; apply payment; and check on confirmation status, as well as commission by booking. There is also a chat function, and step-by-step tutorial and training videos to help agents learn how to use the new site efficiently.