Author: Shawon Hannan

The launch of Queen Anne has marked a significant milestone for Cunard, enticing many British travellers to embark on their first cruise voyage.With Queen Anne’s debut, Cunard has experienced a substantial uptick in bookings from new clients, underscoring the ship’s vital role in attracting fresh audiences.Queen Anne’s introduction has played a pivotal role in drawing a new cohort of customers to Cunard. Tom Mahoney, Cunard’s UK sales director, revealed during the 2024 CLIA Conference in Southampton that half of their bookings were from individuals new to the brand. This surge highlights the successful appeal of Queen Anne to first-time travellers.The…

Swan Hellenic is experiencing unprecedented growth in the UK, with bookings skyrocketing by 900% in the first quarter. The cruise line is expanding its UK sales team to meet the growing demand.This strategic expansion follows the opening of a new office in London, highlighting the brand’s commitment to strengthening its presence in the UK market.Record-Breaking Sales PerformanceSwan Hellenic’s UK sales have witnessed a remarkable surge, outperforming last year’s figures by nine times in the first quarter alone. This extraordinary growth is attributed to the brand’s strategic initiatives, including the appointment of Luke Clarke as Sales Director, which has significantly boosted…

A proactive travel agent turned a safari adventure into a sales triumph.Leveraging social media, she engaged clients back home while exploring South Africa.In a recent development, Natalie Taylor, a diligent agent of Hays Travel, demonstrated the immense potential of social media in the travel sector. While attending an educational trip by Newmarket Holidays in South Africa, Taylor managed to secure a significant safari sale. This instance highlights the vital role social media platforms play in fostering client engagement and securing bookings remotely.Taylor’s consistent and creative postings on her Facebook page during the trip captured the attention of her clients back…

Over 30 travel consultants recently embarked on a luxury fam trip to Mauritius to explore the offerings of Beachcomber Tours.This trip represented a unique opportunity for these professionals to engage in one-to-one sessions with industry leaders and enjoy the exclusive amenities offered by the Trou aux Biches Golf and Spa resort.The participating consultants were treated to an immersive experience of luxury at the Beachcomber Tours’ resort. Staying at private villas, they sampled the exceptional services and facilities available. This experience allowed the agents to grasp a deeper understanding of the luxury market, enhancing their ability to sell this premium destination…

Riviera Travel is marking its 40th anniversary with a series of intimate dinners for travel agents across the UK and Ireland. These events aim to reinforce the company’s dedication to its partners and acknowledge their significant contributions to the business.Beginning on July 16 in Birmingham, the dinners will provide agents with the latest updates from Riviera, along with opportunities to connect with key account managers and fellow peers. With locations set in London, the southwest, southeast, northwest, northeast, Scotland, and Ireland, Riviera Travel is set to engage its agents in meaningful ways.A Tribute to Travel AgentsIn celebration of its four-decade…

Domes Resorts successfully hosted more than 200 trade partners on familiarisation trips, enhancing relationships with UK travel professionals across Greece and Portugal.The initiative provided travel agents and tour operators with first-hand experiences, fostering improved cooperation and elevated trust in Domes Resorts’ offerings.In a concerted effort to bolster connections with UK travel professionals, Domes Resorts organised a series of over 200 familiarisation trips. The key destinations for these events included Santorini, the Algarve, Corfu, and Mykonos. The aim was to provide partners with an in-depth understanding of the hotel group’s luxury offerings, thereby elevating their ability to promote the destinations to…

Celebrity Cruises has raised the bar for luxury cruising by introducing enhanced features for guests staying at The Retreat.Offering unparalleled exclusivity, The Retreat now includes innovative services and enriched amenities designed to elevate the guest experience.Advanced Communication with Butler ChatIn a bid to enhance personalized service, Celebrity Cruises has introduced a butler chat function exclusively for The Retreat guests. This new feature allows guests to communicate directly with their butler via WhatsApp at any time, offering a seamless service experience. This advancement underscores Celebrity Cruises’ commitment to integrating technology with luxury, ensuring guests enjoy a tailored, responsive experience throughout their…

The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is set to expand its global engagement by introducing two significant events later this year. These events are expected to enhance trade relations and provide first-hand experiences for participants.Planned to be held in Gibraltar and Barcelona, these events will focus on destination training, ship familiarisation, and networking opportunities. CLIA aims to cater to the rising demand for immersive cruise experiences by organising these forward-thinking initiatives.Destination Showcase Returns to GibraltarScheduled for 15-17 September, the Destination Showcase marks CLIA’s return to Gibraltar. This event will involve destination training and business sessions, aimed at enhancing participants’ understanding…

P&O Cruises recently announced a remarkable spike in website traffic following their partnership with the prestigious Bafta awards. This collaboration has been highly effective, drawing a substantial number of new potential customers to the cruise line’s offerings.In the aftermath of the Bafta awards, P&O Cruises experienced an unparalleled surge in online engagement. The increased web traffic demonstrates the successful impact of aligning with a renowned brand, setting a new benchmark for visitor numbers.Record-Breaking Online TrafficP&O Cruises saw the highest web traffic in its history immediately after partnering with Bafta. The event attracted considerable attention from prospective cruisers, eager to explore…

Major Travel is embarking on a significant expansion across the UK market.This follows an investment from InteleTravel, which acquired a majority stake in the company.Major Travel, a prominent B2B operator, is set to expand its engagement with travel agents throughout the UK following a strategic investment from InteleTravel. This move sees InteleTravel acquiring a majority stake in the London-based specialist, enabling Major Travel to grow while keeping its operational independence intact.Qasim Gulamhusein, the Managing Director of Major Travel, discussed the planned enhancements to agency partnerships during a webcast. He confirmed that the company is on a recruitment drive for business…