THOMAS Cook is looking for further growth in cruise sales with the launch of a new academy that all 6,000 retail staff are expected to complete.
The importance of the UK cruise sector to the multiple, which claims sales are growing 25% year on year, prompted the creation of a dedicated 12-strong management team at its Peterborough HQ in January.
In May, Thomas Cook strengthened links with Complete Cruise Solution, marketing arm of Carnival-owned P&O Cruises, Cunard Line, Ocean Village and Princess Cruises, when sales executive Sarah Phelps began working part-time with the team three days a week.
Complete Cruise Solution head of sales Giles Hawke said Phelps was not the first implant with Thomas Cook and the volume of business it does with the retailer required a closer working relationship.
“Thomas Cook is one of our key partners. If we understand their business better we can offer a better level of service,” he said. “Their cruise sales are growing, a lot of agents are selling more cruise.”
Thomas Cook head of sales and marketing for cruise Darren Stott said the link up with Complete Cruise Solution did not mean agents would be directionally selling its brands.
“Sarah has an enabling role, she understands the way Complete Cruise Solution works and the way Thomas Cook works. Complete Cruise Solution’s relationship with Thomas Cook is very important, as it is with any supplier, they provide us with a significant share of our business.
“We’ve been surprised by the amount of cruise business we can still push through the high street but we’re also seeing growth in direct and online business. It is very good for forward bookings, we have people booking cruises for January 2008.”
Meanwhile, Carnival has agreed to sell corporate travel subsidiary P&O Travel to Portman Travel for an undisclosed sum. A spokesman would not reveal whether it had plans to dispose of other agency interests, including the 50% share it has in Victoria Travel.