Clia launches European travel agent programme

Clia has launched its cruise learning programme in France, giving agents there the chance to use education modules including the much-feted Brochure Rack.

The program combines online training and resources to teach agents more about selling cruise, finishing in industry-recognised accreditation.

The program is aimed at increasing the number of French people who currently cruise. In 2014 the figure rose by 14 per cent to 593,000.

To support the online portal, Clia will also launch a number of French travel agent focused events in 2016, bringing  together travel agents, cruise line executives and industry partners.

The Cruise Experts online platform is in three areas. The Learning Academy provides almost 90 cruise and cruise sales training modules together with a resource centre containing more reports and statistics.  The Cruise Tool Box features resources to assist agents during the sales process such as Clia factsheets, a cruise search engine and Clia destination guides. The third area is Clia Cruise Daily which features the latest cruise news and special guest columns, and a centralised calendar of cruise industry events open to travel agents.

Much of the technology behind the move is powered by Cruise Adviser’s partner, Widgety.

Andy Harmer, Clia director for UK & Ireland, said: “The launch of Cruise Experts in France demonstrates Clia’s commitment and its cruise line members in growing cruise sales. Clia UK & Ireland has made a significant investment in Cruise Experts with almost 6,800 travel agents active on the UK website over the past 12 months, so I’m delighted we are sharing these assets with our European colleagues.”