Loyalty is a concept not created with just words, but demonstrated with steadfast dedication and consistent actions. At Vacation.com’s 14th Annual National Conference, held aboard Oasis of the Seas last week, Royal Caribbean International’s Vicki Freed, senior vice president of Sales, Trade Support and Services, announced Loyal to You Always, re-affirming the cruise line’s history of unwavering support for travel agents and ushering in new programs focused on them.
Ms. Freed also announced the first of the new programs, Travel Agent Friends & Family Rates, to offer more opportunities for travel agents to experience the most innovative cruise ships in the world, itineraries to exciting destinations, and friendly and engaging Gold Anchor Service from every staff and crew member. Loyal to You Always is Royal Caribbean’s continuous commitment to the travel agent community.
“Royal Caribbean has and will always be loyal to our valued travel agent partners,” said Ms. Freed. “Travel agents are indispensable in our industry and our emphasis on building relationships through personalized and face-to-face interactions with travel agents is what truly sets Royal Caribbean apart. Loyal to You Always is our continuous commitment to support our valued travel agent partners and help them sell cruises more effectively; increase their profits; and grow their businesses.”
Loyal to You Always is built on four principles: Personal interaction and support; Valuable resources that get results; Increasing profits for travel agents; and Award-winning travel agent education and development programs.
Royal Caribbean has always been loyal to travel agents. Royal Caribbean has the proven track record in building meaningful relationships with travel agents. And travel agents have overwhelmingly responded to the cruise line’s commitment to the industry, by voting Royal Caribbean International as the best in travel agent support and servicing for the past five consecutive years in major trade publications.
The cruise line is committed to regular face-to-face meetings with every agency, no matter what their size or revenue. Every travel agency has a local Royal Caribbean business development manager and a business development specialist to help create individualized sales and marketing plans – a dual support system exclusively provided by Royal Caribbean International.
Travel agents have and will continue to be able to leverage the valuable resources that help them get results. Whether it’s co-op marketing, professionally designed, customizable collaterals, or online tools, Royal Caribbean has invested millions of dollars to help drive more customers to travel agent’s storefront and virtual doorsteps.
By helping to drive customers to travel agents, Royal Caribbean also is helping travel agents increase their profits and grow their business. With the ongoing fleetwide revitalization and enhancements, the cruise line is helping to drive customer demand and superior guest satisfaction, which re-enforces client loyalty and repeat business. Furthermore, Royal Caribbean will invest more than $100 million in the next five years to our internal reservation system and automation tools to help travel agents sell cruises more easily and service their clients more effectively by leveraging the latest technologies.
Additionally, Royal Caribbean helps travel agents generate repeat business when their clients book their next cruise while on board. Working with sister-brands Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises, Royal Caribbean International also rewards travel agents for selling the Royal Caribbean family of vacation brands, combining sales performance of all three brands to help travel agents earn more and achieve higher commission levels faster.
And, to help travel agents hone their skills and maintain their competitive edge, Royal Caribbean continues to evolve its award-winning training and development program to respond to travel agents’ needs in a fast-changing world. Monthly webinars, new education modules in the cruise line’s University of WOW! accreditation program, and Seminars at Sea help travel agents learn and explore the incredible breadth of offerings a Royal Caribbean vacation can offer their clients.
Throughout 2012, Ms. Freed, and her senior staff are visiting major cities across the country and hosting a whole-day program dedicated to travel agents. Called Royal on the Road, each stop will recognize travel agents in that market; offer sessions about personal branding and successful marketing and sales strategies; as well as deliver the latest collateral, exciting giveaways, and hands-on exhibits about the Royal Experience in a dynamic tradeshow.
