Cruise companies Tauck and Oceania Cruises are partnering with tech platform Approach Guides.
- This initiative aims to empower travel agents by reducing their workload through personalised multimedia content.
- Tauck enables agents to build tailored marketing materials for specific sailings, enhancing engagement.
- Oceania launches Oceania Insider Connect, allowing for co-brandable marketing pages and real-time updates.
- Webinars are scheduled to train agents on these innovative platforms, boosting sales and marketing efficiency.
In a significant move to support travel agents, Tauck and Oceania Cruises have forged a partnership with the technological platform, Approach Guides. This collaboration is designed to streamline the workload of travel agents by providing them with tools to create personalised multimedia content. This content spans web, email, and social media, aiming to enhance customer engagement and increase conversion rates.
Tauck’s collaboration allows travel agents to craft bespoke marketing materials that can be customised with details pertinent to specific river cruise sailings. This includes vital information such as itineraries, departure dates, and pricing, which can be tailored to meet the unique needs of their clientele. Such customisation is set to revolutionise how agents market river cruises, aligning with the company’s ongoing commitment to boosting river cruise group sales.
Meanwhile, Oceania Cruises has introduced its own marketing solution, Oceania Insider Connect, which is also powered by Approach Guides. This innovative tool enables agents to build co-brandable marketing pages that highlight the cruise line’s itineraries, onboard experiences, and promotional offers, in addition to generating co-branded websites that feature real-time pricing and availability. Oceania’s strategic push is particularly crucial as the company gears up for the launch of its eighth ship, Allura, aiming for sustained growth in the competitive cruise industry.
Both cruise lines are prioritising agent training to ensure optimal use of these platforms. Dedicated webinars are being organised, with Tauck holding its session on 24 July and Oceania on 30 July. These training sessions are instrumental in equipping agents with the know-how to leverage the new technology effectively, ultimately aiding in the growth of their respective businesses.
Steve Spivak, vice president of global sales and reservations at Tauck, highlighted the increasing demand for group travel, especially river cruises. He remarked that their new technology would allow advisors to operate more efficiently and provide superior service, thereby enhancing their earning potential. Similarly, Nikki F. Upshaw, senior vice president of global sales at Oceania Cruises, emphasised the significance of this tool for advisors, especially as Oceania expands its fleet with the forthcoming Allura.
These partnerships signify a forward-thinking approach to enhancing travel agent capabilities through innovative technology.
