P&O Cruises is set to provide an immersive experience for travel agents through two exclusive familiarisation trips on the Iona, taking place in September and November.
These excursions form part of the new “Shine at Sea” initiative, aimed at enhancing agents’ product knowledge and sales confidence through firsthand experience of the Iona’s offerings.
Shine at Sea Initiative
The “Shine at Sea” incentive by P&O Cruises offers 100 travel agents the chance to embark on two separate seven-night cruises aboard the Iona. This program is designed to offer a deeper understanding of the cruise experience, equipping agents with enhanced knowledge to better serve potential customers.
Selection Process and Excursion Details
Participants will be selected through a prize draw, with the opportunity to choose between a Norwegian fjords cruise departing on September 7, or a Northern Europe trip beginning November 2. Additional bonus entries are available through engagement on the line’s trade Facebook page and during a special homeworker event.
Agents can nominate a colleague to join them on these trips, providing a collaborative learning environment. The strategy is crafted to facilitate both personal and professional growth among participants.
Agent Engagement and Training Opportunities
Training sessions will be integrated into the Iona cruises, allowing agents to gain valuable insights and skills. Experiencing the ship’s facilities firsthand is expected to boost their confidence and sales capability.
According to Ruth Venn, P&O’s Sales Director, the training provided during these trips is indispensable, as it allows agents to experience the cruise product in its entirety, from facilities to destinations.
These trips are especially targeted towards agents new to cruising, as the itineraries focus on popular routes for first-timers, enhancing their ability to attract novitiate customers.
Expanding the Agent Experience
In addition to the “Shine at Sea” trips, P&O Cruises has launched its largest ship visit programme to date, inviting over 1,100 agents to explore their offerings.
This expansion reflects P&O’s commitment to engaging more intensively with their trade partners, fostering a better understanding of their services across the industry.
Building Confidence Through Experience
By experiencing the cruise journey and destinations in person, agents are expected to return with a heightened confidence in recommending the Iona to potential customers.
The experiential learning approach deployed by P&O aims to significantly enhance agents’ product knowledge, leading to increased sales efficiency.
Ruth Venn emphasises that real-world exposure to the ship significantly correlates with improved sales performance, as agents are better equipped to describe and promote the advantages of a cruise holiday.
Feedback and Future Engagements
Feedback from participating agents will be central to refining future familiarisation trips, ensuring they provide maximum value and learning opportunities.
The initiative is part of a broader strategy to strengthen partnerships with the travel trade, building lasting relationships that benefit both agents and P&O Cruises.
The Strategic Vision for “Shine at Sea”
The “Shine at Sea” initiative is firmly rooted in P&O’s strategic vision to enhance brand loyalty among agents, thereby driving sales and customer satisfaction.
The “Shine at Sea” program reflects P&O Cruises’ dedication to their partners, offering invaluable learning experiences aboard the Iona. This initiative not only aims to elevate agents’ product knowledge but also to fortify the relationship between P&O Cruises and the travel trade.
