A “virtually maintenance free” system that claims to increase the impact and speed of promoting cruise offers online for agents and cruise lines is to be unveiled at this week’s Clia UK & Ireland Selling Cruise conference.
New software service provider Widgety has been working with Clia to create the technology which is being used by the trade body within its cruisexperts.org member website.
Clia UK & Ireland director Andy Harmer (pictured), speaking ahead of Thursday’s conference in Southampton, said: “We engaged Widgety to make cruiseexperts.org the exciting, interactive hub for all cruise news.
“Their software allows us to easily create and share company information and contact details for all of our members, both cruise lines and executive partners, as well pulling in their social media feeds, news and now excitingly their latest promotions and events.
“Their software is easy to use and the team have a great understanding of the cruise market.”
Widgety’s creator and founder Damian Gevertz added: “We know both travel agents and cruise lines are frustrated by how much time and effort it takes to get their offers and promotions online.
“Widgety has been specifically developed to make it easy for anyone to create an offer, event, or promotion, and share it online.
“I set the goal that it must take 90 seconds, or less, to create and publish a page. We see it as a great way of enabling all travel businesses to get more out of the web. Whether you’re a homeworker, or a multiple, our widgets work on every device, everywhere.”
Agents wanting to use the free service can go to widgety.co.uk or visit the Clia UK & Ireland stand at the conference. Individual widgets are tailored to only include offers from selected cruise lines and are customised to reflect branding.