Azamara Alliance trade partner programme launches, line appoints more UK staff

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Moira Gregson takes on the role of BDM while Natalie Holder the international marketing manager
Azamara has unveiled its new trade partner programme Azamara Alliance and added two new members of staff to its UK-based sales team.

Azamara Alliance is intended to strengthen the line’s relationship with its travel partners, introducing new tools and technologies that create a smooth experience for agents. It comes with a new booking platform, a more intuitive Azamara Connect trade partner portal, and expanded contact center. Live training sessions on using the platform will be hosted in January.

‘A priority in this new chapter at Azamara is to provide our valued travel partners with the best support and the most efficient experience possible,’ stated Patrice Willoughby, chief sales officer, international at Azamara. ‘With the launch of our Azamara Alliance programme, it is our mission to support our travel partners and equip them with the tools, so we succeed together.’ 

Azamara Connect will include a new Versonix Seaware touch booking platform allowing travel partners to book across channels over one integrated platform with a 360° view of everything. Travel Partners can book FIT, plus back-to-back and combo voyages, including cruise, air, shore excursions, onboard packages, and more. 

The Azamara Connect travel trade portal will include on-demand access to imagery, promotions and marketing templates to support sales efforts. 

The contact center will double its number of agents and integrate new systems for faster answers and information, such as call-back services beginning later this month.

Expanding sales team 

Moira Gregson has been appointed BDM, and Natalie Holder is the international marketing manager for the line’s sales team in the UK.

Gregson will work closely with the head of trade sales UK, Stuart Pearce, to develop Azamara’s presence and performance in the UK. She has worked in the travel industry for over 25 years, starting her career as a resort representative, and has gone on to gain almost 20 years’ experience in B2B sales. She has held roles at Carnival UK, Cruiseco and more recently, Ambassador Cruise Line. 

Holder will support Azamara’s global marketing team in Miami, as well as the in-market sales teams in the UK, EMEA, AUS and LACAR. She has extensive experience in communications, trade marketing, branding, and graphic design, previously holding positions at The Travel Network Group, Hurtigruten, and Not Just Travel, where she was the head of trade marketing.

MD David Duff, who led the recent enhancement of Azamara’s UK team, will play a key role in driving forward growth.