Cruise Baltic made a strong impression at the annual Cruise360 trade show this week. Putting the spotlight on trade and how it intends to support TAs with the knowledge of how best to sell itineraries in the region, the network shows it is well prepared for the 12th annual CLIA Conference in May 2018.

Each year, over 200 travel agents head over to the Fort Lauderdale event and make a beeline to the Cruise Baltic booths to learn about the region – comprised of Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland .

Even more took the opportunity to educate themselves via the Cruise Baltic online learning platform, where they could take product-specific courses in areas such as accommodation, adventure, airline services and business travel; or take up skills courses for platforms like Amadeus, Galileo, Sabre, and Sage.

“80% of cruises are still sold by travel agents around the world”

Other resources available for TAs include access to brochures and sales materials; a video library full of inspirational videos like the Oslo one below and an online overview of all cruise lines in the Baltic area, so TAs can connect to cruise lines and review their itineraries.

Espousing the importance of the travel agents to the organisation and the cruise industry as a whole, Claus Bødker, director of Cruise Baltic said: “We consider it a vital part of our job to educate travel agents worldwide on the unique selling points of our region and all the exciting features we offer at our destinations. We believe that focusing on the travel agents is one of the keys to enabling sales for cruise lines, as 80% of cruises are still sold by travel agents around the world.”

CruiseCopenhagen, representing the largest turnaround destination in the Baltic Sea, joined Cruise Baltic at the trade show to train travel agents and agencies on how to sell stays in Copenhagen. The line was represented by SAS, Scandic, Clarion Hotel, Copenhagen Airport, Hotel Ottilia, Absalon Hotel and Radisson Collection Royal Hotel.

“The participation in Cruise360 is a great example of how Cruise Baltic works successfully with travel agents. Apart from a trade show booth, Cruise Baltic will also be hosting two workshops in cooperation with its strategic partners, SAS and Scandic,” added Bødker.

In addition to Cruise360, Cruise Baltic will next to be seen at the CLIA Conference in Southampton, running from 23 to 25 May 2018.

Discussing the summer event Andy Harmer (above), director for CLIA UK & Ireland said: “The conference is the largest travel agent event in the UK and is an opportunity to bring the whole cruise community together.

“The CLIA Conference provides agents with the chance to learn about industry updates and trends, hear from key speakers sharing knowledge about their area of specialism and meet face to face with cruise line representatives and industry partners to better educate themselves and to help to grow their business.”