New MSC Cruises recruit Rob Scott reaffirms ‘staunch’ trade support

MSC Cruises’ new recruit, Rob Scott, has reaffirmed his backing for travel agents as the line prepares to add more capacity.

 

Appointed as guest experiences and growth strategy senior advisor, Scott has been tasked with identifying new opportunities for growth and improving the onboard offering for UK and Ireland passengers.

 

He told a Travel Weekly webcast: “I have always been a staunch supporter of the trade, and believe that, in the UK, cruise is an assisted sale, there is no better way at this stage. 

 

“We’ll probably keep doing what we’re doing. 

 

“There’s a great team on the ground [and] I look forward to working with the team more closely…and certainly improving agent engagement through training and frontline engagement. 

 

“There is always opportunity to work more closely with specific agents.”

 

More: MSC Cruises bolsters trade support team

 

Antonio Paradiso, MSC Cruises’ international sales vice-president, agreed, saying: “[Agents] will be part of all the communications, all the information that we provide.

 

“Knowledge is power, so the more we can share, the more we can make sure that our agents are up to date [and] the more successful we will be.

 

“I believe there is a natural appetite from this market for cruising. 

 

“There is always an opportunity to get those messages out there…creating engaging opportunities where travel agents can absorb as much information possible, especially when you have such an ambitious growth plan – sometimes it could be hard to keep up to date with all the new ships.”

 

More: MSC Cruises to invite 200 UK and Ireland trade partners on newest ship

 

MSC Cruises has committed to hosting 200 agents from the UK and Ireland on board its newest World Class ship at the end of the year.

 

The line’s third World Class vessel, MSC World Asia, is set to debut in December – and will be followed in November 2027 by MSC World Atlantic.

 

“There is an opportunity for us to increase the number of sailings from the UK, so over the next few years, you will see again us adding more opportunities for the travel agents,” said Paradiso.

 

“We continue to develop the fly-cruise business, which is critical to our success, because we are seeing year after year more Brits travelling to the Med, the Caribbean or Alaska.

 

“There are certain parts of the world where it’s inevitable that you need a flight if you want to enjoy those destinations. 

 

“I still see growth for the next 10 years, so we want to make sure that we are ready to support that growth.

 

“[We have] exciting times ahead; lots of opportunities for all the travel agents watching this interview.

 

“We have proven time and time again that we are serious about the UK and Ireland, so we will continue to invest, whether it is the platform, systems, people, partnerships, deployments.

 

“Thank you for the support you have shown us over the years.”

 

He also hailed agents for being “so supportive” in recent months as the line launched promotions to boost sales and confidence.