| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 08/05/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 61 |
| Copyright: Other |
Hoverspeed plans educationals to boost agents’ 1st knowledge
HOVERSPEED is to host a series of open days and educationals for tour operators and ARTAC and Advantage travel agents to give them first-hand experience of its expanded premium class 1st service.The tour operator days, on May 9-10 and June 7-8, will include a chance to look round the Hoverspeed offices and a trip on a hovercraft from Dover to Calais. They will stay overnight in Dover. The travel agent day trip educationals, on June 14 and 15, are designed to back up the ferry operator’s Educare training programme, which has been completed by 2,000 retailers.
Agents will travel to mainland Europe on the Dover-Ostend Seacat and by coach to Calais for a return crossing to Dover on the hovercraft. There will be company presentations on board.
This year, Hoverspeed increased the number of 1st seats on the hovercraft from 14 to 54 during refits and opened an airport-style lounge for 1st passengers at its Dover Hoverport.
Hoverspeed is running a trade advertising campaign to highlight the extra commission agents can earn if they book clients in the premium service.
Spokesman Kevin Charles said: “Cross-Channel ferry business has not been very lucrative for agents in the past but that has changed and it can now provide useful additional income.”