Travel Counsellors reports 49% increase in cruise bookings
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Travel Counsellors have seen a significant rise in cruise bookings for September – up an impressive 49% year on year.
Janet Whittingham, Head of Cruise at Travel Counsellors said: “September has been a strong month for us thanks to our ability to truly tailor-make itineraries, no matter how complex, to suit the exact needs of all the travellers boarding the ship, coupled with our complete financial protection and exclusive cruise-only rates and promotions.
“We’ve seen a rise in forward 2017 bookings to Canada and Alaska with Holland America and Princess Cruises. High-end 5 and 6-star luxury cruises are becoming increasingly popular, such as Seabourn, Regent Seven Seas, and Azamara; as are River Cruises like Scenic. We are also seeing an increasing number of group bookings with friends and multigenerational family bookings due to an ever-growing choice of options for togetherness or age-appropriate pursuits”.
This success is set to continue into October when the cruising community comes together to celebrate cruise and showcase the benefits of cruise holidays to potential customers. As part of Plan a Cruise Month in association with CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association), Travel Counsellors hosted a takeover day with Seabourn Cruises including a champagne arrival; a dedicated TV show with Expedition Manager Robin West; a presentation about the Seabourn experience, and a VIP American-themed brunch. Fred Olsen, Regent Seven Seas, and Hurtigruten have also visited the company’s headquarters for live TV broadcasts showcasing their offering.
Whittingham added: “With almost 70% of travellers using a travel agent to plan their trips, Plan a Cruise Month provides an excellent opportunity for us to showcase the advantages of booking a cruise with a CLIA certified Travel Counsellor. Our dedicated training events fully equip our Travel Counsellors to offer first-hand knowledge and expert advice on our cruise products”.
According to the company’s booking statistics, the top 10 most popular cruise ships booked in September were Ventura, Azura, Celebrity Eclipse, Independence of the Seas, Britannia, Aurora, Navigator of the Seas, and Oriana.
The company now has over 1,500 Travel Counsellors running their own business from home in the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, South Africa, Australia and the UAE.
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