“Incredibly meaningful”: TravelOnly celebrates top producers with AmaWaterways

TravelOnly’s top-producing advisors traded their desks for Dutch windmills, Belgian beer and chocolate this month as the host agency took its President’s Club celebrations to the rivers of Europe.

From Aug. 5-12, TravelOnly hosted its President’s Club trip aboard AmaWaterways’ AmaPrima, sailing from Amsterdam to Brussels on an itinerary that mixed culture, cuisine and plenty of opportunities for the group to celebrate its achievements.

The voyage brought together 44 participants, including guests and partners, and was hosted by TravelOnly President and CEO Gregory Luciani and Chief Financial Officer Ann Luciani.

Shannon Smith, TravelOnly’s senior vice president, sales, marketing and operations, was also on board.

For Gregory Luciani, the trip was about much more than rewarding strong sales. It was a chance to recognize the work, relationships and entrepreneurial spirit that helped TravelOnly’s leading advisors reach the top.

“Being part of the President’s Club trip is both an honour and a reminder of what's possible within TravelOnly. It reflects our unwavering commitment to recognizing excellence and supporting advisor success,” Luciani told PAX.

Windmills on two wheels

The itinerary offered TravelOnly’s top-producing members plenty of ways to experience the Netherlands and Belgium beyond the riverbank.

Among the active highlights was a bike tour to Kinderdijk, the idyllic Dutch village and UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its historic windmills.

Participants pedalled through the countryside to see the centuries-old structures, which have helped keep the region’s flood-prone lowlands at safe water levels since the 18th century.

The trip took on a different flavour in Antwerp, where participants sampled one of Belgium’s most famous exports during a beer tour.

The group also ventured to Bruges, another UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Belgium’s most photogenic cities.

Its network of canals, medieval buildings and historic churches provided a storybook backdrop for a day of exploration.

And no visit to Belgium would be complete without chocolate.

In Brussels, TravelOnly’s group rolled up its sleeves for a chocolate-making experience, adding a sweeter dimension to a week already rich with food, culture and camaraderie.

Experiencing Ama firsthand

For AmaWaterways, hosting TravelOnly’s leading advisors aboard AmaPrima was also an opportunity to turn product knowledge into firsthand experience.

“Having TravelOnly’s top-producing advisors on board our AmaPrima for their Presidents Club trip was incredibly meaningful,” Sandra Gardiner, director of sales for Canada at AmaWaterways, told PAX.

“These are advisors who consistently inspire their clients to travel and welcoming them aboard gave Ama the opportunity to celebrate their success, strengthen our partnership, and let them experience firsthand what makes us so special.”

Gardiner said experiencing river cruising in person gives advisors a perspective that simply can’t be replicated through training materials or sales presentations.

“There is simply no substitute for being on the river — from the warmth of our crew and culinary experiences to the ease of this newly curated itinerary and the way each destination came to life. When advisors experience Ama firsthand, they become even stronger storytellers and advocates for their clients," she said. 

That storytelling component is also central to Gregory Luciani's advice for TravelOnly advisors who have their sights set on earning a place on a future President’s Club trip.

“For advisors working toward Presidents Club, my advice is simple: focus on a niche, travel more, attend conferences, be a storyteller, stay client focused, invest in yourself and most importantly foster exceptional client relationships. Those habits create long term success and open doors to opportunities like this," he said. 

Canadian advisors “key” to Ama’s success

Beyond celebrating TravelOnly’s highest performers, the sailing highlighted the importance AmaWaterways places on its relationships with the Canadian travel trade.

“Canada continues to be an important and growing market for AmaWaterways, and travel advisors are key to that success,” Gardiner said.

“Our Canadian advisor partners play a vital role in educating clients, building confidence in river cruising with AmaWaterways, and matching travellers with the right itinerary and experience. Events like this help deepen those relationships and reinforce how much we value our travel advisor community.”

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