Hurtigruten appoint Bentours as GSA

Hurtigruten appoint Bentours as GSA
By Kate Webster


Hurtigruten have appointed Bentours as the GSA (general sales agent) and preferred travel partner for the Australian and New Zealand market from 6 September 2016.

Expanding on their commitment in Australia & New Zealand with a consolidated marketing and distribution strategy, Hurtigruten recognise the need for Bentours as the GSA.

Hurtigruten VP Sales & Marketing, Cyril Bricaud, said: “The goal of the new partnership with Bentours is to facilitate the rapid expansion of the expedition cruising and coastal voyages product. The partnership will leverage the Bentours operating model, sales and marketing team, and industry relationships across the region.”

Bentours CEO Damian Perry added that the Hurtigruten and Bentours brands are 100 percent complementary which make it easy for the travel agent to sell.

“We deliver a complete solution for the traveller and our partners. Bentours have been a key partner of Hurtigruten for many years and this next step will cement this great partnership and initiate local industry support strategies,” Perry said.

The new commitment requires Bentours to be fully responsible for the brand voice, PR, distribution partnerships across the industry and marketing of Hurtigruten. To deliver the best possible result Bentours have developed a dedicated Hurtigruten team embedded within the business to sell, support and market Hurtigruten across all of the industry.

This support includes an expansion in the opportunities for educational travel and industry support across wholesale, retailers and OTAs. The responsibility includes supporting and growing the network and partnerships of existing and new specialist operators and retailers.

Hurtigruten wish to acknowledge the great work of Discover the World (DTW) as the previous GSA who have passionately represented the Hurtigruten brand to date. DTW have been exceptionally professional and successful in their role. The start date is 06 September for all new bookings.

All existing travel bookings will continue as normal while new bookings from the 6th of September will be booked and managed via the new Hurtigruten team at Bentours.

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