The Travel Village Group is recruiting homeworking cruise agents to use the firm’s new ‘Leads Toolkit’ to sell holidays.
The initiative will target cruise specialists who have been made redundant or are looking for fresh opportunities.
Phil Nuttall, Travel Village Group chief executive and chair of Clia UK’s travel agent advisory panel, said he wants to build “a network of incredibly talented and passionate cruise experts”.
“We have three of the strongest and well-known cruise brands in the UK which have always been a lead-generated model,” he said.
“The Cruise Village, Southampton Cruise Centre and RiverCruising.co.uk all sit underneath the group umbrella and have seen significant growth over the last few years.
“However, I believe that in light of the raft of redundancies we have seen [in the cruise industry] my team and I can offer some hope…for true cruise experts.”
The ‘Leads Toolkit’ will offer front and back-office support and the option of a website tailored to each agent’s customer profile.
“The unique opportunity is the ability to choose which brand you want to work under: The Cruise Village or Southampton Cruise Centre,” said Nuttall.
“Either way, you are free to promote and sell any cruise or non-cruise holiday under our Abta number.
“We are also keen to speak to any river cruise experts and explore unique opportunities.”
Former Cunard manager Richard Cross has joined as sales and commercial manager to support the home-based agents in negotiating deals that are tailored to the cruise experts’ customer database.
The cruise experts will be encouraged to speak directly and form relationships with the cruise lines.
Agents will earn 65% of the commission on a booking. They will receive 25% when the sale is made and the remaining 40% six to eight weeks before travel.
Nuttall added: “Many cruisers have been frustrated over the last five months with the lack of contact and care provided, compounded by their inability to speak to someone about their cruise.
“If you have your own database of cruisers, or have an appetite for a challenge to go out and find cruise clients, then our open-door policy and history of customer care will give you a solid foundation to build on.
“The cruise industry is currently in a state of flux and I think that is exciting because we don’t know what is round the corner.
“As more details are slowly released about cruising returning and we hear the experiences of guests who return from cruises with MSC Cruises and some of the river cruise lines, confidence will start to grow.
“There is a lot of pent-up frustration out there and I, for one, believe in the cruise industry.”