By
Rebecca Gibson |
Global leisure travel group Thomas Cook has joined CLIA UK & Ireland.
Thomas Cook, one of the UK’s biggest cruise retailers, will now be able to access CLIA’s cruise learning programme, which covers a host of cruise products, destinations, sales techniques and the latest industry trends. Staff will also be invited to a range of events held throughout the country.
The membership follows Thomas Cook’s decision to open 11 dedicated Cruise Concept Stores across the UK last year. Operating alongside its conventional shops, five of the stores opened in partnership with Carnival UK cruise lines, supporting brands such as P&O Cruises, Cunard Line and Princess Cruises. The other six stores are partnered with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
“Thomas Cook and the Co-operative Travel are delighted to become members of CLIA which demonstrates our continued commitment to growing our Cruise proposition,” said Julie Berry, head of Cruise Development and Repackaging at Thomas Cook. ”As a leading independent cruise retailer, it is important that we continue to work closely with our cruise partners. Now, through joining the CLIA association, this will enable us to further strengthen our cruise expertise throughout our network, encouraging more customers to consider Thomas Cook when booking their cruise holiday.”
CLIA UK & Ireland now has more than 3,000 travel retailers as members, covering sectors such as multiples, miniples, independent agents, homeworkers and online travel agents for the first time.
“We are delighted that Thomas Cook has chosen to join the association as we are united by the desire to increase the number of people taking a cruise holiday,” said Andy Harmer, director of CLIA UK & Ireland. “The company’s membership means we can engage with a much broader community of travel agents which will be to the benefit of the whole cruise industry.”