Newell’s Travel is to launch a cruise website and appoint cruise ambassadors in all 11 branches.
Oceanandrivercruising.co.uk is poised to go live, while a cruise development manager with more than 40 years’ cruise experience is due to start on December 1.
The ambassadors will be a mix of agents who have travelled on cruises and younger members of the team who are keen to be involved in the new initiative.
Roger Hawke, owner and managing director of the West Country agency chain, said: “We run a holiday show in Cornwall every spring, but also held shows dedicated to cruise last autumn and this autumn. They were both phenomenally successful; that’s what has kick-started this.
“The Travel Network Group has helped us with the website, videos and adverts, and we have received training from the group’s cruise concierge reservation manager.
“I moved from Global three years ago and it’s the best move I’ve ever made. When The Travel Network Group says everything it does is to benefit members, they mean it. They will come all the way to Cornwall for training or just a visit.”
The cruise development manager and his ambassadors will attend The Travel Network Group’s cruise conference in Birmingham and Clia conference in Southampton.
Hawke said the business would sell fly-cruises and ex-UK cruises, and dynamically package using low-cost airlines to link up with river and ocean itineraries.
Hawke is also looking to overhaul his group travel business. Operating from an office in Bristol, it sells predominantly low-cost two-night breaks to London.
“We have a database of about 3,000 social clubs and social secretaries, and their members want new experiences farther afield,” he said. “We need to start working with new suppliers and develop longer, more high-end tours for these clients.”