As demand for independent rail-based vacations continues to climb to record levels, Railbookers Group has strengthened its trade-focused staff with enhancements to its business development team.
Leading the way among the moves is the promotion of longtime Railbookers Group staffer Jarret Kettinger to the newly created role of director of key and host accounts. A veteran of more than 11 years with the company, Kettinger, who lives in Charleston, SC, has held a number of roles including inside sales, customer service and product development, and most recently served as key account manager. In his new role, he oversees the company’s largest key and host accounts while helping train and coach new members of the trade team.
“Business is booming for Railbookers and Amtrak Vacations, and we have made these exciting additions and changes to ensure continued success and growth for our company and our valuable trade partners,” said Jim Marini, senior vice president of global partnerships. “As we continually evaluate how to best serve, educate and assist our esteemed travel advisors and consortiums, this new team structure will make a big difference in leading all towards Railbookers and Amtrak Vacations as the ideal one-stop-shop for FIT vacations featuring rail, hotels, sightseeing, transfers and so much more.”
Two new additions to the team include Robin Koval and Jeff Woods as key account managers. Koval, who lives in Dallas, TX, brings more than 30 years of travel industry experience, most recently with Grand Canyon Railway. Woods, meanwhile, has spent more than seven years in outside sales experience including a recent stint as a senior business development manager.
Rounding out the new additions are Sakeysha Williams from Charlotte, NC, who has been appointed business development executive, as well as Christen Sellier (Greenville, SC) and Erin Schwertfeger (Casa Grande, AZ) in the newly created role of business development representatives. All three have extensive experience in the travel industry.
Each of the new staff members will support the growing market for Railbookers and Amtrak Vacations’ offerings among travel advisors and their clients, along with preferred consortia and key accounts. The trade market led the way with growth of nearly 50 percent for the U.S. market in 2024, and continues to trend upward towards another record year of sales for Railbookers Group.
For more details visit www.railbookers.com and www.amtrakvacations.com.
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