Travel Republic has added cruise to its product offering, claiming the sector is now seen as mainstream.
The leading UK OTA will promote a full range of cruise product to its three million customers thanks to a tie up with sister brand Imagine Cruising.
Both Travel Republic and Imagine are owned by dnata Travel, a part of the Emirates Group. Imagine will power the cruise.travelrepublic.co.uk website.
Ian Simmonds, managing director for Travel Republic, said: “Travel Republic aims to make it possible for everybody to have the holiday they really want, and with the addition of cruise, we now offer an unparalleled range of options to UK holidaymakers.
“Imagine Cruising have an enviable reputation and range of exclusive cruise and stay holidays that will appeal to Travel Republic customers.”
Peter Shanks, development director at Imagine Cruising, added: “Our expertise in cruise, with Travel Republic’s distribution to three million customers, is a powerful combination and a good example of the benefits of working together within dnata.
“We are seeing strong support from our cruise line partners. As cruise becomes a mainstream holiday choice it makes sense to offer Travel Republic customers a comprehensive cruise proposition.”
The UK Cruise market now accounts for over 10% of all package holidays sold in the UK with 1.7 million people in the UK taking a cruise each year.
As well as providing a choice of cruises from leading operators, Travel Republic Cruise will offer their customers a range of exclusive fly cruise holidays.
As well as-UK departures with leading lines like P&O Cruise and Royal Caribbean International, the site will sell popular Fly-Cruise destinations including the Mediterranean, Florida, Caribbean and Asia.
Adding cruise to Travel Republic’s site is the first in a series of planned developments by Imagine Cruising after dnata took a 51% stake in the business earlier this year.
To support today’s launch Travel Republic Cruise will offer a range of exclusive cruise holidays for 2016 with Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Costa Cruises, MSC Cruises, P&O Cruises, Cunard Line and Cruise and Maritime Voyages.
A marketing campaign is planned to run throughout December and January.