Travel Village Group unveils a comprehensive training scheme to boost river cruise sales.
- Initiated by Amanda Taylor and Richard Cross, the River Cruise Academy targets travel agents.
- The programme includes both virtual and face-to-face sessions, commencing in September 2024.
- Support from prominent cruise operators like AmaWaterways and Uniworld reinforces the initiative.
- The course aims to enhance agents’ understanding and sales potential of the UK’s niche river cruise market.
Travel Village Group has introduced an innovative training programme designed to enhance the proficiency of travel agents in the burgeoning UK river cruise market. Spearheaded by Amanda Taylor and Richard Cross, the River Cruise Academy was conceived at the CLIA Riverview Conference in Amsterdam, highlighting the potential of river cruises as a profitable and relatively unexplored sector within the UK.
The Academy aims to deliver a meticulous blend of virtual and face-to-face training sessions, commencing in September 2024. These sessions are tailored to educate participants on various aspects of river cruises, including product knowledge, brand differentiation, itinerary planning, and system navigation. A unique feature of this programme is the inclusion of familiarisation (fam) trips, providing firsthand experience of river cruise offerings.
The training initiative has garnered backing from renowned industry stakeholders such as AmaWaterways, APT & Travelmarvel, Emerald and Scenic Cruises, and Uniworld. This collaboration not only ensures a robust training foundation but also underscores the importance of emotional and financial investment from both the organisers and the cruise operators alike. The commitment of these stakeholders guarantees the programme’s focus on delivering tangible returns on investment.
Participants will have the opportunity to host local events, supported by TVG and a river cruise operator, culminating in their graduation at the CLIA Riverview Conference in March 2025. This aspect of the programme fosters community engagement and allows the participants to practically apply their training, thereby enhancing the river cruise market’s reach.
According to Phil and Paula Nuttall of TVG, the tailored approach of this initiative perfectly aligns with the needs of business owners, reflecting a strategic opportunity within the travel sector. They believe this programme constitutes a “winning formula,” as it effectively addresses the current lack of awareness and understanding of river cruises in the UK market.
The Travel Village’s training initiative promises to significantly elevate the UK river cruise market by equipping agents with essential skills and knowledge.
