Partner of the Year, River Cruise Line of the Year, and Partner Representative of the Year – Kristin Karst
Calabasas, CA, June 2024 – Every year, the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) recognizes the travel industry’s best and brightest suppliers and partners for their efforts in going above and beyond in their support of the trade and ASTA’s broader advocacy efforts. AmaWaterways is honored to receive three of those awards for 2024, just announced at ASTA’s May 30th Global Convention.
For the second year in a row (sixth time in its history), AmaWaterways earned ASTA’s highest award – Partner of the Year. Kristin Karst, AmaWaterways co-founder and executive vice president, was named Partner Representative of the Year – for the second year in a row; and the line is honored to be recognized as ASTA’s River Cruise Partner of the Year – for the ninth year in a row.
“We are blessed every year with numerous awards, and they are all so important and appreciated,” said Karst, who was present to accept the awards at the ASTA Global Convention in Dallas. “The ones we get from ASTA are especially gratifying and humbling as these are decided upon by ASTA’s travel advisor members, who collectively represent more than 80% of all travel sold in the United States. Our commitment to support the education and professional development ASTA provides to its members is as sincere and deep as it was over 20 years ago when we launched our first river ship.”
AmaWaterways provides robust support for travel advisors with an array of tools and resources. These include digital marketing toolkits, FAM opportunities as well as Seminar on the River cruises and weekly Webinar Wednesdays. Additionally, AmaWaterways has recently introduced a guest-facing online booking engine that facilitates convenient 24/7 reservation capability integrated into travel advisors’ co-branded AmaWaterways websites.
“Whether new to the travel industry or a seasoned advisor, travel partners can count on our teams to provide the training and support needed to grow their river cruise business with AmaWaterways,” said Alex Pinelo, AmaWaterways senior vice president, sales. “Together, we look forward to continuing to live up to this recognition and serving the travel advisor community as we launch exciting new itineraries, new ships and new destinations such as Colombia next year.”
For more information or to reserve an AmaWaterways river cruise and land package, contact your preferred Travel Advisor, call 1.800.626.0126 or visit AmaWaterways.com.
About AmaWaterways
Family-owned and operated for 22 years, AmaWaterways offers unparalleled river cruise experiences with 29 custom-designed ships sailing Europe’s major rivers; Southeast Asia’s Mekong River; Africa’s Chobe River; Egypt’s Nile River and Colombia’s Magdalena River (2025). Co-founded by pioneering river cruise executives Rudi Schreiner, Kristin Karst and Jimmy Murphy, the company is renowned for its warm and welcoming crew; innovative and sustainable ship design; wellness activities; and award-winning, locally sourced cuisine paired with complimentary fine wine. Modern, spacious and tastefully decorated, most AmaWaterways ships welcome an average of just 150 guests and feature onboard amenities such as a stunning Main Lounge, specialty Chef’s Table restaurant, hair and massage salons, Sun Deck walking track and heated outdoor swimming pools with swim-up bars. AmaWaterways leads the river cruise industry in innovation, highlighted by the launch of the revolutionary AmaMagna. The company also offers a variety of themed sailings and brand relationships, with sailings geared towards active travelers and families, as well as group and charter options.