Cruise.co.uk is to roll out its full range of cruise-and-stay packages to the entire trade in the third quarter of this year after testing the water with homeworking network Not Just Travel last month.
The cruise specialist has more than 1,800 packages it will make available to agents, covering all seven continents, ranging from seven to 38 nights.
As part of the initiative, Lee Johnson (pictured) has been promoted to Head of Trade Sales. He was formerly North America Package Manager, having previously worked his way up from Sales Consultant to Sales Manager, via inventory planning roles
A trade sales support team will now be appointed, which Lee will head up. The team will comprise Business Development Managers for the north and south, a Trade Sales Manager, five Trade Sales Executives and a trade marketing lead.
Lee said: “Having worked at cruise.co.uk for almost 14 years in several roles I am well placed to promote our brand and products to the trade. Our aim is to open up our entire cruise and stay portfolio to every agent in the UK and become the most trusted and innovative partner for these packages.”
Cruise.co.uk linked up with Not Just Travel (NJT) last month to sell its ‘Thrill and Chill’ packages, which combine cruises from Florida with theme-park stays. The packages are available for NJT to sell until the end of next month, with additional North America packages due to be added shortly.
Cruise.co.uk Managing Director Tony Andrews said: “Opening our cruise-and-stay portfolio to the wider trade marks a significant strategic milestone. We’ve invested heavily in building a truly global, end-to-end product offering, and this move reflects our commitment to sharing that expertise with agency partners nationwide.”
