AmaWaterways to open UK office

AmaWaterways, the luxury river cruise line, is to open a sales and marketing office in the UK, headed up by industry stalwart Stuart Perl.

The company, which sells river cruises in Europe and further afield, including the Zambezi Queen, above, has been represented by Fred. Olsen Travel since 2008.

“I am grateful for the commitment Fred. Olsen Travel has shown to our business over the years, and look forward to continuing our relationship with them as a preferred partner,” said Rudi Schreiner. “As we transition into our next stage of growth, we are excited about the opportunity that exists and look forward to bringing the beauty of river cruising to the European travel market.”

AmaWaterways was launched in 2002 by Schreiner and co-owner Kristin Karst.

“I am honoured to become part of the AmaWaterways family and to enhance the efforts that have already been implemented here and across Europe,” Perl, who will assume the title of managing director, said. “River cruising continues to expand in popularity with today’s active affluent travellers and I look forward to our AmaWaterways team building even stronger relationships with our current trade partners and developing new trade partnerships to ensure that AmaWaterways continues to lead the way in this thriving sector.”

Perl previously served as marketing director for Cunard Line, managing director for Peter Deilmann River & Ocean Cruises and most recently, ran his own company as UK representative for river cruise lines selling groups and charters through the UK travel trade.