Travel agents have been urged to attend Clia’s Expedition Cruise Forum next month to boost earnings in the “niche” sector.
Around 50 places are left for the one-day event in London on March 28 where Peter Shanks, Silversea’s UK & Ireland managing director; Robin West, Seabourn’s vice-president of expedition operations and broadcaster Monty Halls will speak on stage.
A panel of Celebrity Cruises training manager Leon Hand, Silversea expeditions manager Akvile Marozaite and Craig Upshall, Aurora Expeditions’ UK sales director, will also discuss how agents can increase sales and identify clients.
Addressing agents directly, Shanks said: “Come to forum. It may be far to travel, and we appreciate it takes time, but if agents make one booking following the event they could earn £3,000 in commission. I think that is a worthwhile investment.”
Practical advice for taking an expedition cruise will also be on the panel’s agenda.
Clia UK & Ireland director Andy Harmer said: “A lot of people that look at expedition cruise will identify the destination they want to go to first.
“We will explain the journey for the consumers and how to attract those that want to go on an expedition cruise.”
Shanks, who is the chair of the Clia expedition working group, said the sector had to work harder to entice passengers because its products were “niche”.
He applauded Clia for supporting the expedition sector as it has backed river cruising.
“If you look at how Clia has supported the river sector – we can do that with expedition,” he said. “It would mean a lot more revenue for travel agents and more satisfied guests.”
To book your place at Clia Expedition Cruise Forum at Deloitte Auditorium, New Street Square in London, visit cruiseexperts.org
