Royal Caribbean International today kicks off Travel Agent Appreciation Month. This year, the cruise line is recognizing its outstanding travel agent partners as “Heroes” and empowering them with new travel agent development programs; enhanced selling tools, such as a new set of professionally designed, customizable collateral pieces; and offering rewards and incentives. Throughout April, travel agents also can earn the chance to win a stateroom on a pre-inaugural sailing aboard Allure of the Seas. And Royal Caribbean will proudly drape a banner that covers one side of the cruise line’s headquarters building, proclaiming “Royal Caribbean International Appreciates Travel Agents Everywhere” to the thousands of vacationers that travel to the Port of Miami to board a cruise.
“I want to thank our valued travel agent partners for everything they do, and for their passion, loyalty, feedback, and dedication,” said Vicki Freed, senior vice president, Sales, Trade Support and Services, Royal Caribbean International. “We strive to provide our travel agent partners with the most accessible support, via phone, online, email, and face-to-face meetings. Additionally, we are always exploring cutting edge tools that will help our travel agent partners grow their business and increase their profits.”
Travel Agent Appreciation Month recognizes travel agents and the important role they play in helping to create memorable Royal Caribbean vacations for their customers. Just as the cruise line is recognizing travel agent partners as its heroes, it also is helping travel agents recognize their own community heroes, such as firefighters, police officers and military personnel with special offers. Royal Caribbean also is encouraging travel agents to recognize everyday heroes, such as parents, by offering them family pricing, which is based on quad-occupancy for even more value when the whole clan goes on vacation.
In the spirit of empowering its travel agent partners and helping them sell cruises more effectively, Royal Caribbean has developed new and innovative programs to educate travel agents. For example, the cruise line is kicking off Travel Agent Appreciation Month with a new training initiative about Royal Caribbean’s Culturally Enriching Cruises. Travel agents will learn how these sailings are tailored for vacationers mostly from a specific country or region, offering guests the opportunity of experiencing the local flavor of the region. In order to maximize guests’ experiences, Culturally Enriching Cruises embrace a regions’ customs including the onboard language, entertainment, and dining.
Through April 23, 2010, travel agents also can win one of 35 staterooms on a pre-inaugural sailing aboard Allure of the Seas. Every Oasis of the Seas or Allure of the Seas Boardwalk- or Central Park-view balcony stateroom they book will earn them an entry in a drawing to win the coveted experience.
In addition to special promotions throughout the month, Royal Caribbean is presenting enhanced selling tools, and new logo items for its travel agent partners. The cruise line will be offering an online version of the new “Royal Recommends Using a Travel Agent” logo that can be used on agency websites and marketing communications, and buttons that can be worn and license plate frames that also proudly display the slogan.
