NEWS CONFERENCE REPORT
Clia River Cruise Conference 2016: The association’s sixth river event attracted 350 delegates. Natasha Salmon reports from Amsterdam
More from Clia, page 14
‘Embracing technology key to attracting new clients’
River cruise agents and suppliers must adopt technology rapidly, as customers become more connected.
Clia River Cruise chairman Lucia
Rowe stressed the importance of agents and suppliers in attracting and retaining the emerging “connected cruisers”. Rowe, who is A-Rosa’s UK and
Ireland head of sales, said: “Travel companies need to rapidly adopt new technology, as today’s travellers increasingly want to manage their entire trip on a mobile device. “We have this amazing product
in river cruise but it is about getting that product noticed. “As we have seen at this
conference, it is about securing the right product to the right people, but also offering it when they want, and where they want it. “There is a big difference of perspective on how we can sell. We need to start thinking about reaching those connected cruisers.” Rowe said technology could
evolve in the next five years from mobile apps and websites to virtual reality.
“Systems will change very
rapidly,” she added. “It’s happening now, we’re not talking about 2025. “As cruise lines, we have to be the best at getting our systems up to date and telling agents how to specialise.” Anthony Rawlins, founder of
travel media company Digital Visitor, said travel companies should be spending about 20% of their marketing budget on social media, while agents should be making
themselves familiar with customer engagement and advertising on platforms such as Facebook. He added: “Social media in
cruise is underutilised, especially in river cruise. But it doesn’t have to be a missed opportunity. “There may be a higher age
range for river cruise customers, but they are still using social media at the end of their trip, at least to share pictures. If your customers are on social media, you should be.”
Agents asked for their ‘lightbulb moment’
Clia has unveiled its new campaign, asking agents to reveal the moment selling cruise really ‘clicked’ for them. The association wants agents to send in a video or written description for its Cruise Lightbulb Moment campaign in an effort to highlight the diversity of cruise. Director of Clia UK & Ireland, Andy Harmer, said: “The campaign is
a great opportunity to champion ‘only-in-cruising’ experiences and celebrate cruise advocates in the UK travel trade.” Entries are open until December 14. The winner, who will be chosen by a panel of cruise experts, will receive a selection of prizes and experiences, as well as being crowned 2017’s #CLIAWinner. To enter, agents must submit up to 200 words or a short video to
brightideas@cruising.org with the subject line ‘Cruise Moment’.
cruiseexperts.com
Clia to host first Cruise360 event in Denmark next year
Clia will host its first Cruise360 conference in Copenhagen on September 9-11, 2017. The cruise association had planned to host the event in Marseille this year, but it was postponed.
Cruise360 is an established
event in the north American and Australian markets, aiming to give delegates practical advice and support to expand their sales. The inaugural European
event will feature multiple ship visits and local excursions. Andy Harmer, vice-president of operations and director of Clia UK & Ireland, said the event would feature keynote conference sessions on the latest trends within cruising. Delegates will spend the
day onboard Princess Cruises’ Regal Princess, with an excursion and evening event also planned. The following day will be held on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Getaway, with a gala dinner that evening. On the final day, there will be
a trade fair, with a cruise sales masterclass also planned.
Lucia Rowe, Clia River Cruise chairman
Anthony Rawlins, Digital Visitor
12
travelweekly.co.uk 24 November 2016
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76