| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 19/06/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 28 |
| Copyright: Other |
cruise agents profile
Cruise agent profile is a new, regular spot looking at how businesses operate in this specialist sector of the travel trade
Cruise agent profile is a new, regular spot looking at how businesses operatein this specialist
sector of the travel trade
Ann austin
owner of austins travel agency
Name: Ann Austin.
Number of staff: five.
Proportion of business devoted to cruising: 70%.
Customer profile: “Our clients are mainly middle-class people who want to trade up to a cruise. I’ve been in business so long that I started booking holidays for parents, and now I book for their children.”
How many of your customers are new to cruising: 20%.
What are the most popular ships among your customers: Oriana, Black Watch, Splendour of the Seas and Galaxy.
What are the most popular cruising destinations among your customers: “The most popular destination is still the Mediterranean but more and more people are asking about Alaska.”
What are the advantages of selling cruising: “It’s a thoroughly rewarding job. The first-time cruisers come to me because I’ve been on so many cruises, and I explain to them about dress codes and tipping. It’s rare to have a complaint about a cruise.”
What are the drawbacks: none.