The Leading Cruise Agents (LCA) of the UK has changed its membership rules to encourage more consortia, alliances and miniples to sign up.
Under the new rules, which have been trialled throughout this year, the head office becomes the main member and pays the usual fee, but any number of outlets and franchises can join at a discount.
Go Cruise, Global Cruising, Worldchoice Cruise Club and Elite Travel Group all took advantage of the new ruling during the trial period and are now members.
The LCA also has three new associate members – Compagnie du Ponant, European Waterways and Voyages to Antiquity – while Cruise Destination Hardangerfjord has signed up as an affiliate member.
The LCA now has seven affiliate members since launching the scheme in spring 2009 and is hoping to add at least three more in 2010.
New agent members include Cruise Ahead in Chesterfield, World Travel Jersey, The Cruise Centre in Southbourne, Sussex and four Global Cruising franchises in Chester, Guildford, North Devon and Reading.
They take the membership to 69. The target is to reach 80 agents members in 2010.