Travel agents have been the travel industry “heroes” of the pandemic and remain “the future” for cruise lines, according to one of the UK sector’s most senior executives.
Speaking at the conclusion of Clia’s Virtual Cruise Showcase, Peter Shanks, managing director of Silversea Cruises, said: “On behalf of all cruise lines, can I say how thankful we are for all the travel agent support this summer. We all feel that way.
“They’ve had such a tough time and we’ve done our best to look after them but they are the heroes and they are our future.”
Shanks was speaking in a session focused on future sales, during which speakers reiterated their support for the trade and willingness to work with partners to incentivise them in the wave period.
Following the announcement this week that P&O Cruises would be upping agent commission during the peaks, Antonio Paradiso, managing director of MSC Cruises UK & Ireland, said all lines were liaising with trade partners to find ways to drive sales, including creating attractive and flexible fares and offers.
Paradiso said options being discussed included additional commission and other commercial incentives and said “it is fair to say we [lines] have all been rather generous”.
All speakers said their approach to the trade had needed to evolve during the pandemic, with face-to-face activity likely to be allied to digital and virtual elements in the future.
But they also reiterated the importance of showcasing their product to agents in person.
Alex Delamere-White, vice-president of sales and marketing for P&O Cruises, said the line had been disappointed to have had to cancel an event planned for more than 1,000 agents on new ship Iona in May, but he confirmed “we will absolutely be running it again” at some point in the middle of next year.
Lucia Rowe, managing director of A-Rosa, said agents would play a key role in reassuring consumers, helping them navigate new regulations and exploring different options and cruise lines.