Big effort, huge payoff
Big effort, huge payoff CONGRATULATIONS to Marie Carpenter and her Thomson travel agency on filling an entire cruise ship with 1,250 passengers – a combined booking worth £840,000. Who said multiples can’t innovate?
This is an unprecedented tale of what a can-do attitude can achieve. From the moment the customer walked into the shop, the agent’s response was positive.
Then the idea had to become a reality, and this is where Thomson is to be applauded. Two consultants managed the administration and worked with the client to sell the cruise.
This involved attending tea dances and bowls events – getting to know the potential customers and selling the idea. Thomson liaised with the client to draw up the itinerary.
Involving the cruise business from the outset enabled Thomson to free up a ship and to manage the sale of cabins.
From the bottom to the top, the business remained flexible to the needs of the customer – and it paid off.
But why did the customer choose this shop? Because he had been impressed by the service he received on a previous visit.
So, it all comes down to good customer service. You never know what a customer will want, but one thing is for sure – provide a good service and it could be you taking the booking of all bookings.
Keep on sailing along
Keep on sailing alongWE are full steam ahead into week two of Travel Weekly’s Cruise Month.
Judging by this week’s reader poll on page 3, agents are clearly seeing the benefits of cruise, with 21% of respondents saying it is the one area where they are making money and 53% saying it is an area of growing importance.
Keep reading our Cruise Month coverage to find out how to make the most of this sector – and if you fancy yourself as a cruise ship comedian, enter our competition to find an agent with the Chuckle Factor.