Clia UK & Ireland has had a major boost ahead of National Cruise Week by recruiting Thomas Cook as a new member.
The addition of Thomas Cook brings the number of travel retailers in Clia UK & Ireland membership to more than 3,000 for the first time, covering multiples, miniples, independent agents, homeworkers and online travel agents.
This follows Cook opening 11 dedicated Cruise Concept Stores across the country to sit alongside conventional branches.
Membership includes access to Clia’s cruise learning programme covering cruise lines, destinations, sales techniques and the latest industry trends.
Cook staff will also be invited to events held nationwide.
Clia UK & Ireland director, Andy Harmer, said: “We are delighted that Thomas Cook has chosen to join the association as we are united by the desire to increase the number of people taking a cruise holiday.
“Their membership means we can engage with a much broader community of travel agents which will be to the benefit of the whole cruise industry.”
He added: “Thomas Cook’s membership endorses our successful training programme which provides access to unique resources and our Learning Academy, all of which are accredited City & Guilds.”
Cook head of cruise development and repackaging, Julie Berry, said: “Thomas Cook and the Co-operative Travel are delighted to become members of Clia which demonstrates our continued commitment to growing our cruise proposition.
“As a leading independent cruise retailer it is important that we continue to work closely with our cruise partners and now, through joining Clia, this will enable us to further strengthen our cruise expertise throughout our network, encouraging more customers to consider Thomas Cook when booking their cruise holiday.”