The sales teams of Riviera Travel and Silversea have shared their experiences with more than 80 budding travel professionals during a virtual careers session.
Paul Mellon, key account manager at Riviera Travel, and Helen Crosbie, Silversea’s national and key account manager, UK & Ireland, spoke with students at Uxbridge College about their career paths and the cruise industry.
They covered off popular itineraries and destinations, guest demographics, and the key differences between ocean and river cruises.
Former Virgin Atlantic sales rep Natalie Connell, who now works as a travel and tourism lecturer at the college, invited the pair to speak.
Mellon said: “It was a pleasure to meet the students and help give them further insight into the background and benefits of a river cruise.
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“Hopefully I’ve helped add to their knowledge of our sector. River sailings are a fantastic option, and the students were clearly keen to hear more.
“It was also helpful to talk up their sustainability credentials, which are becoming an increasing priority for both travel professionals and the wider public.”
Crosbie said: “I hope that they feel inspired and now have a greater understanding of the luxury and expedition cruise industry.
“I also really enjoyed giving them an insight into my varied travel industry career from the past 27 years, particularly as my journey into travel began with National Vocational Qualifications at college.”
The talks were arranged to boost the college’s student enrichment programme due to the pandemic curtailing work experience and overseas educational opportunities, Connell said.