Travel Counsellors is joining Clia UK & Ireland as part of a global membership deal with the world’s largest cruise industry trade association.
The agreement with the organisation, which also has representation in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australasia, will see the agents benefit from a range of training and events.
The membership in the UK and Ireland includes access to Clia’s Learning Academy covering a host of cruise products, destinations, sales techniques and the latest industry trends.
Travel Counsellors will also be invited to training events, ship visits and cruise conventions.
The news comes as the company completes cruise-based activity to mark Clia Cruise Week, including daily cruise webcasts as well as a special cruising ‘tool kit’ to help them promote cruise to new and existing customers.
Travel Counsellors also produced a dedicated 32-page cruise brochure, which agents have been able to personalise and send to their customers.
Commercial director Kirsten Hughes said: “As we continue to focus on the cruise support, tools and training we give to our agents we felt joining Clia was a great way to further enhance this offering.
“This membership gives even more credibility to our agents when marketing themselves to potential cruise customers and gives them access to some excellent training programmes, events and products, with Clia boasting an impressive 60-plus cruise line members globally.
“It’s also an effective tool for our Travel Counsellors who may be new to cruise, which again is complemented by the in-house training and support we offer.”
Clia UK & Ireland director Andy Harmer, said: “The cruise sector offers huge potential for growth and I’m delighted that Travel Counsellors have become members and are investing in such a great industry.
“They have a great reputation in the travel industry and we have been keen to work with them and their agents for some time. It’s very gratifying that our association is recognised as providing unique cruise training and resources that support travel agents in promoting and selling ocean and river cruise holidays.”