Joanna Ames - Personal Profile:
My early history was as a tour guide for Townsend Thoresen and P. & O. Ferries accompanying groups around Europe and later in partnership with a local coach operator with whom I started, “from scratch,” a tour operating company.
In 1995 I opened my own coach tour operator company – En Route, based in Hythe, Kent. In 1996 I purchased a derelict building in the heart of Hythe, and converted it into an impressive office and shop front and allocated space for the local Tourist Information Centre. The company employed an office staff of twelve and up to twenty tour guides with a turnover of £1.4 million. A wide range of UK and continental travel and holiday packages were sold but En Route focused principally on coach and Eurostar travel. Coach hire contracts were in the region of £150K per year and En Route became one of the top South of England National Express and Eurostar sales agents. In 1998 I was awarded the title Kent Business Woman of the Year which I retained for two years. During the following few years the company won and were also finalists in some prestigious trade awards.
In 2005 I was approached by the MD of Buzzlines Coaches with the offer of buying my company and employing my team and myself. I agreed to a two year contract, working as General Manager, building and developing their existing travel business. One of my final achievements on behalf of Buzzlines Travel and against fierce competition, was winning the titles National Winner of the European Holiday Programme of the Year and National Finalist in the Day Excursion Programme of the Year, both part of the 2007 National Coach Tourism Awards.
Today I am pleased to offer my experience and services to coach and tour operators on a free-lance basis. Competitive charges are based on hourly, daily or weekly rates and are available on request.
Testimonials
'We are delighted that Joanna has joined the team as we recognise her expert undertaking of the coach industry's needs and value the extensive network of coach contacts she has built up over the years'
Nilkunj Dodhia
MD Soundscape
'We contracted Arrivee to review, update, modernise, not only our complete website but our marketing brochures and company logo. This was achieved very professionally, on target and to budget'
Jerry Ridgway
MD Explorer Assocaties
'We worked with Arrivee on sales and telephone training for our staff. Joanna used her considerable experience and insight to identify issues and suggest improvements. We would thoroughly recommend Arrivee for their intelligent, inspiring and cost effective approach to business solutions'
Alistair Scott
Epsom Coaches