Cunard is looking to expand its trade sales team, with the recruitment of two regional Senior Executives.
The Senior Executives will support agents in the north and south of the country and help boost agencies’ revenue streams as well as build new trade relationships, the cruise line said.
Both Senior Executives will report to Business Manager James Scott, who joined Cunard in January this year.
Sales Director Tom Mahoney (pictured) said Cunard had started working with 10 new agencies this year and needed to expand its trade sales team accordingly. The trade sales team will increase in size to 13 people once the two Senior Executives have been recruited.
He also highlighted how Cunard’s fleet capacity will rise by 40% when its 3,000-passenger Queen Anne ship (pictured) launches in May 2023.
Asked what characteristics and skills the successful applicants needed to have, Tom said: “We are looking for people that have creativity and passion, thrive on building relationships, but also love to work independently.
“They will have a flexible working style based on ever-changing environments and will always be a great advocate of our brand.”
Around 1,600 UK travel agents have visited Cunard’s online trade engagement platform Shine Rewards Club this year, double the number of visitors over the same period in 2021.
“We are really encouraged by that,” Tom added. “We’re doing really well with the trade but there’s a requirement to grow with Queen Anne launching.”
Last year, the line announced a fare structure review to decide whether to include more items in the price.
Tom said: “There is a lot more work being done on this. Over time with this fare structure review, we want to drive more flexibility and have a wider range of offers that we can promote.
“The focus for us as a brand is making sure our guests and agents understand the value that Cunard has.
“We want to make sure that at any point in time there’s a really good reason to be booking a Cunard cruise.”
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The Senior Executives will support agents in the north and south of the country and help boost agencies’ revenue streams as well as build new trade relationships, the cruise line said.
Both Senior Executives will report to Business Manager James Scott, who joined Cunard in January this year.
Sales Director Tom Mahoney (pictured) said Cunard had started working with 10 new agencies this year and needed to expand its trade sales team accordingly. The trade sales team will increase in size to 13 people once the two Senior Executives have been recruited.
He also highlighted how Cunard’s fleet capacity will rise by 40% when its 3,000-passenger Queen Anne ship (pictured) launches in May 2023.
Asked what characteristics and skills the successful applicants needed to have, Tom said: “We are looking for people that have creativity and passion, thrive on building relationships, but also love to work independently.
“They will have a flexible working style based on ever-changing environments and will always be a great advocate of our brand.”
Around 1,600 UK travel agents have visited Cunard’s online trade engagement platform Shine Rewards Club this year, double the number of visitors over the same period in 2021.
“We are really encouraged by that,” Tom added. “We’re doing really well with the trade but there’s a requirement to grow with Queen Anne launching.”
Last year, the line announced a fare structure review to decide whether to include more items in the price.
Tom said: “There is a lot more work being done on this. Over time with this fare structure review, we want to drive more flexibility and have a wider range of offers that we can promote.
“The focus for us as a brand is making sure our guests and agents understand the value that Cunard has.
“We want to make sure that at any point in time there’s a really good reason to be booking a Cunard cruise.”
The post Cunard to expand trade sales team ahead of Queen Anne launch appeared first on Travel Gossip.
Continue reading...
