Hays Travel is poised to host its annual cruise experts conference aboard Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady. This year, approximately 70 agents will participate in the event.
The conference aims to provide an immersive learning experience for agents and foster collaboration with key cruise industry suppliers.
Annual Cruise Experts Conference
Hays Travel is preparing for its annual cruise experts conference, an event that serves as both a learning opportunity and a networking platform for 70 agents. Delegates will board the Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady from September 19-23, setting sail from Portsmouth to Amsterdam.
Attendees will include retail agents, members of the Independence Group, and Personal Travel Consultants. Suppliers participating in the conference represent industry giants such as Carnival Cruise Line, Fred Olsen Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Silversea, Star Clippers, Tui River Cruises, and Vista. This diverse representation underscores the event’s significance in the cruise industry.
Significance and Objectives
Catriona Parsons, Hays Travel’s head of cruise, expressed gratitude toward Virgin Voyages for hosting the event. She stated, “Our thanks go to Virgin Voyages for hosting what we are sure will be a valuable few days of learning and networking – what better way to immerse ourselves in all things cruise than on board Virgin Voyages’ beautiful Resilient Lady?”
The conference aims to provide delegates with comprehensive knowledge about new ships, destinations, and customer experiences. With the cruise sector witnessing substantial growth, the event is set to deepen participants’ understanding and enhance their ability to offer tailored solutions to clients.
Industry Growth and Developments
Parsons highlighted the significant growth in cruise bookings, stating this surge has introduced new ships, destinations, and experiences for both new and long-standing customers. Additionally, the event will serve as a venue to share upcoming developments and strategic plans within the industry.
The annual conference thus not only showcases the advancements in cruise travel but also provides a collaborative environment for sharing insights that could shape Hays Travel’s future strategy in the cruise sector.
Networking and Collaboration
A critical component of the conference is its focus on networking and collaboration. Agents will have the opportunity to forge stronger connections with suppliers and fellow professionals, thereby fostering a collaborative environment conducive to mutual growth.
These interactions are expected to yield valuable insights and partnerships, enhancing the agents’ ability to serve their clients better.
Learning Opportunities
This event stands out as an exceptional learning opportunity for the agents involved. By being on board the Resilient Lady, agents can gain firsthand experience of the cruise product, providing them with the ability to convey authentic and informed advice to potential customers.
The immersion into the cruise environment allows agents to better understand the nuances of different services and amenities offered, thus enabling them to craft highly personalised travel recommendations.
Future Implications
The insights and strategies discussed during the conference are expected to have long-term implications for Hays Travel’s cruise business. The shared knowledge and collaborative efforts will likely result in enhanced service offerings and greater customer satisfaction.
Parsons concluded, “We are looking forward to spending time together with our supplier partners and colleagues to share new developments and plans on the horizon, which in turn will benefit our own Hays Travel cruise strategy.”
Conclusion
With its focus on networking, collaboration, and learning, the Hays Travel annual cruise experts conference stands out as a pivotal event in the cruise industry’s calendar. The event promises to offer significant insights and foster partnerships that will shape the future of Hays Travel’s cruise offerings.
The Hays Travel annual cruise experts conference is set to be an enriching experience for all attendees, offering valuable knowledge and networking opportunities.
This event underscores the significance of continuous learning and partnership in driving success within the cruise industry.
