Training agents on the health and safety measures in place on cruise ships will help brands reassure clients considering booking.
The topic of health and safety training was addressed during a Clia webcast, moderated by Travel Weekly editor-in-chief Lucy Huxley
Speaking on a Clia panel, Oceania Cruises’ Bernie Carter said educating agents on what each line is doing prior to the cruise, during the sailing and after it was essential.
He said: “Travel partners will want to be able to reassure their guests of the safety elements and the fact the experience onboard won’t be diminished.
“So yes, this will form a part (of our training), but big a part is still to be seen but as time goes on, the need for that will reduce somewhat and as an industry we will react accordingly.”
Iain Powell, head of trade sales at Saga, said the brand was poised to announce key messaging to help reassure clients.
He said the line would introduce a module on its e-learning platform for agents, with additional tools available to help the trade convey key messages around health and safety to clients.
He said: “You have to approach it quite delicately and it has to be turned into a reassurance and a positive as opposed to focusing on the negative as to why we are doing it. We’re going to try and help travel agents with doing that.
Powell insisted getting agents back onboard ships would be vital and said that as soon as it is deemed safe to do so, the line would be keen showcase its product to the trade.
He said the line experienced its best three months on record following the launch of Spirit of Discovery in 2019 when it hosted agents onboard.
