A cruise line sales director plans to go on country walks with agents in a bid to increase the number of trade partners she works with.
Natalie Read, sales director at SeaDream Yacht Club, will host four agents – including Fred Olsen Travel managing director Steve Williams; Edwina Lonsdale, managing director at Mundy Cruising; and Tony and Josie Ripper at The Luxury Cruise Advisory Service – on a ramble along the south coast on September 8.
Currently only one walk is confirmed, but Read hopes to run between six and 10 meet-and-greet ‘Natwalking’ events each year to drive sales and boost agents’ knowledge of SeaDream.
She said: “Networking only really used to happen at golf days. One of the things that was so important during lockdown was getting out.
“I found that if you go off for a walk, you got really good ideas. The moment you step away from a computer you come up with ideas.”
Explaining how almost all sales came via UK agents, Read added: “Sales come from a small minority of agents that get and understand SeaDream.
“It’s like the 80:20 concept – 80% of the business comes from 20% of the agents. I would like to get more agents.”
Read, who has previously trekked in Patagonia and the Himalayas, said the second Natwalking event will be in Berkshire later in the year.
“I plan to keep the groups small so that they’re nice and intimate,” she added.
Agents who wish to join a future Natwalking event can email Read at nread@seadream.com