Triton is to send out exclusive cruise offers available through 50 of its members to 20,000 customers in January.
The mailshot is part of a joint marketing and training scheme across the Advantage, Worldchoice and Global Travel Group consortia for agents keen to grow cruise sales.
So far 50 agents have signed up, with all committing to the scheme financially by paying for the mailshots, planned three times a year.
The offers are being sent to customers drawn from a database across the groups and will direct customers to their local travel agent. Cruiselines have come up with exclusive deals and are involved in training days to help agents understand more about the product.
Advantage commercial director Julia Lo Bue Said said: “It’s about the product, how to close a sale and create incremental business.”
The initiative is part of Triton’s Cruise Advisor programme set up this year under which a new three-pronged training scheme has been announced.
The first element of the course is ‘Cruise Know How’, focusing on the variety of cruiselines and their different styles, the second is ‘Cruise Marketing’ and the third is advanced training that looks at destinations and itineraries in more detail.
Worldchoice and Triton director Barbara Collins said: “Agents will have greater confidence when it comes to introducing this type of holiday to new clients.
“By combining tailor-made training with marketing initiatives we will be able to equip our agents to compete in the fastest growing area of travel.”
Cruise Advisor was set up with Fred Olsen, Costa Cruises, Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Hurtigruten, Silversea, Norwegian Cruise Line, Orient Lines and Complete Cruise Solution.
A similar scheme for specialist holidays is planned.