Not Just Travel will hold an in-person cruise training event in Birmingham on Saturday (August 21) to capitalise on the ‘phenomenal’ growth it has seen in the sector.
The homeworking group claimed cruise sales from April-August 2021 have quadrupled compared to the same period in 2019.
About 150 homeworkers will attend the event at the Birmingham Conference & Events Centre, with training offered by Gold Medal, Scenic, Emerald Cruises, Riviera Travel, Oceania Cruises, MSC Cruises, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Cosmos, Avalon Waterways and cruise trade body Clia.
Steve Witt, co-founder of Not Just Travel, said the educational event will be different to others as it will go “back to basics”.
“Travel consultants are often scared of selling cruises as they feel cruise-loving customers know more than they do and they don’t know what to say,” he commented.
“Usual training events involve trade partners standing on stage speaking to their audience about the facilities they offer, but not delivering the right information to make a difference.
“[The event] will be fun and educational, and 150 new cruise experts will walk out the door, hungry and confident to sell.”
Witt said the season of “well-priced” domestic sailings this summer have encouraged more sales of international cruises, especially from first-time cruisers, leading to record levels of forward bookings.
Other factors which have buoyed bookings include the introduction of strict health and safety measures, along with upgraded vessels and new ships.
“There has never been a better time to book a last-minute cruise as the operators have been unable to pre-sell, yet ships are departing with spare capacity,” he said.
“It means customers can enjoy more space and attentive service than ever before.”
The event will also see the launch of Not Just Travel’s Cruise Club, which will provide on-going training and marketing support from trade partners and the homeworking group.
“It is designed to increase sales and is a focused group for those who want to lead the way in cruise sales,” said Witt.
“We’re using the cruise industry’s skills and knowledge with our passion and expertise of finding customers, selling and being entrepreneurs.
“It includes special offers and first access internally to marketing materials and offers. Anyone in NJT can opt-in to be a part of it if they commit to being a cruise expert. It is about increasing expertise in a certain area of travel.”
More: Not Just Travel plans to double in size in next 12 months