TravelManagers sail to success on cruises

It was the year of the cruise in 2014 for TravelManagers, who have reported a 51% growth in cruise sales.

Building on a successful cruising year in 2013, 2014 hit new records in the industry, with executive GM Michael Gazal saying that its specialist CruiseManagers business has grown by 78% over the same one year period.

“We’re thrilled with these results as it shows the professionalism and calibre of our personal travel managers (PTMs), who have taken all the resources and training we’ve given them and combined it with their own expertise to produce really strong sales figures for consecutive years,” Gazal said.

TravelManagers have been swift to recognise the need for ongoing cruise education for their PTMs, and their specialist cruise division, CruiseManagers, is a growing success.

“CruiseManagers is a member of Cruiseco, and as a result of this membership, our PCMs can offer their clients a range of unique products, exclusive charters and competitively priced cruise deals that are not available through most travel agencies,” Gazal added.

At the Cruiseco conference held in Melbourne recently, CruiseManagers were represented by ten PCMs and head of operations, Kim Wudko, and took home awards in three of the major categories.

The company’s accolades included the Million Dollar Club award for agency sales in excess of $1 million, an award for Top Five Agencies in Sales for 2013/2014, and an award from Oceania Cruises for Outstanding Sales Growth in 2014.

CruiseManagers’ top-selling PCM Sara Birtwhistle was assigned the prize for the Top Five Award, which was a Crystal Cruises ten-night cruise for two people on a sailing of her choice, along with a $10,000 travel allowance.

Birtwhistle, representative for New Farm, Queensland, credits her time working for a cruise wholesaler as the foundation for her success as a cruise specialist.

“My business is not about having the most clients; it’s about having a select number of clients who want exacting and professional service,” she said.

“The opportunity to participate in supplier events like the Cruiseco conference and CLIA’s Cruise3sixty in Sydney, where I can develop industry relationships and update my product knowledge, is invaluable.”

TravelManagers are continuing to look for ways to innovate and grow their business, particularly in high-yielding sectors such as cruise, with these latest results showing the company is on the right track.

In the image: CruiseManagers celebrate a successful awards haul at the recent Cruiseco conference. From left to right: Luky Wilson (Mount Eliza), Kim Wudko (NPO) and Kathy Millett (Claremont)

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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