Clia has created an online cruise guide to help new-to-cruise agents boost their knowledge of the sector and grow sales.
The guide includes a cruise terminology glossary, a ship order book, a list of vessels sailing ex-UK in 2020, key cruise line contacts and a section on how to make the most of being a Clia member.
In addition to the online cruise guide, which is available now on cruiseexperts.org, Clia will offer a two-day workshop next May, designed to help “agents feel comfortable and knowledgeable” when selling cruise.
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Plans to offer more workshops for the trade beyond May will depend on agent demand.
The decision to offer the extra educational opportunities was made following consumer research carried out by the cruise association earlier this year and feedback from Clia working groups.
Of the 409 UK consumers surveyed about their holiday booking habits, 96% said they used a travel agent and would take a cruise holiday again.
Clia UK & Ireland director Andy Harmer (pictured) unveiled the plans at this year’s Clia Cruise360 conference in Malta where he also revealed agent members have grown from 700 to more than 4,000 in the last 13 years.
Harmer said: “We have looked at supporting agents who don’t yet feel like an expert. Those who are selling one or two cruises a year or one or two cruises a month and want to increase the number of cruises they are booking.
“The new-to-cruise guide and the workshops are the first part of a much bigger listening exercise to understand what people are looking for from us.”
It is the first time Clia has designed training specifically for new-to-cruise agents.
“We have worked with our trade engagement group and our travel agent advisory group to produce these new initiatives,” Harmer added.
Clia recently revealed the finalists for its 2019 Cruise Excellence Awards in December. See the full shortlist here