The Cruise Lines International Association (Clia) is broadening its European reach with the trade by introducing online cruise training to agents in Spain.
B the Travel Brand, one of country’s leading retail networks with 650 agencies in Spain, is the first travel agency to sign up for the Clia-accredited learning programme.
Agents will have access to ‘Cruise Experts’ which combines online training and dedicated resources in one place while also offering agents the opportunity to work towards industry recognised accreditation.
The scheme will bring together Spain’s cruise community with the aim of increasing the number of consumers opting to take a cruise holiday.
Clia Europe operations vice president, Andy Harmer, said: “The launch of Cruise Experts in Spain demonstrates Clia’s commitment, and that of its cruise line members, in growing cruise sales.
“In 2015, Clia UK & Ireland welcomed nearly 22,000 online users to Cruise Experts who accounted for 190,000 page views.
“It is an invaluable tool for those who sell cruise holidays so I’m delighted we are sharing these assets with our European colleagues.”
The online platform is organised into three distinct areas. The Learning Academy provides almost 90 cruise and cruise sales training modules together with a resource centre containing more in-depth reports and statistics.
The Cruise Tool Box features resources to assist agents during the sales process including a digital brochure rack, specially created Clia factsheets, an updated cruise search engine and destination guides.
The third area is Clia Cruise Daily which features the latest cruise news and special guest columns, and a centralised calendar of cruise industry events open to agents.