The Travel Network Group is poised to introduce a Cruise Club TV to drive more deals to its cruise club members.
The service, announced at the group’s conference on board Celebrity Eclipse, goes live on June 28 after the group secured a one-year contract to run the channel.
There are currently 123 Cruise Club agents, who all enjoy access to exclusive deals and marketing as benefits of being part of the club.
The group already runs Worldchoice TV – which switches from Ideal World TV channel to Hochanda at the end of June – for its Worldchoice agents.
Marketing director, Si Prentice, said: “This is all about driving deals to members. TV is a phenomenal channel to bring products into people’s living rooms.”
The new Cruise Club channel will have a presenter and include agents talking about the cruise market as well as current holiday deals.
Prentice expects most deals to come as a result of viewers visiting or contacting their travel agency, although there will also be an 0800 number advertised which will route calls to one of the group’s call centres or to members.
“People tend to go to our website after watching and find the member that is nearest to where they live and go in to see them (to book),” he said.
The group has also launched an online directory, TTAholidays.co.uk, for its Travel Trust Association tour operator members to showcase their products to agents and consumers.
Prentice also revealed a free text message service is now being offered to market offers to agents’ clients.
Since launch three months ago, between 40 and 50 agents have signed up to the service in which head office sends tailored deals to members’ clients.
“It allows them to get a message out quickly,” said Prentice.