Royal Caribbean p10 v2 6/1/09 09:17 Page 10
Royal Caribbean International
Q&A
Mark Walter
Mark has spent 15 of his 25 travel years working for
three cruise lines, the UK’s largest cruise specialist
agency and running his own travel business. Now head
of field sales for Royal Caribbean International, Mark
began his travel career with a travel & tourism course.
He then worked in retail agencies before moving into
the cruise sector and has never looked back!
WHAT DIFFERENTIATES ROYAL WHAT IS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE
CARIBBEAN FROM LAND-BASED CRUISE TO DATE?
HOLIDAYS? Sailing from Southampton earlier this year
Open the curtains of any Royal Caribbean ship onboard Independence of the Seas with the
and every day brings a new country, port or family. No airport hassle, easy check-in, my
destination. Combine the ever-changing children at the club, my partner at the spa and
scenery with world-class facilities onboard and a G&T in my hand…perfect!
in my opinion a Royal Caribbean ship wins
every time. WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THE
BRAND?
WHAT SETS ROYAL CARIBBEAN Anyone can build ships but it’s the people that
APART FROM THE COMPETITION? make it happen. The ship and land-based
Innovation! When it comes to setting the employees have such passion and commitment
standard and raising the bar, Royal Caribbean to the company that it really motivates me.
Mark’s top tips
is the master. I’ll give you a few examples,
FlowRider, ice skating, rock climbing walls WHAT DOES YOUR SALES TEAM
for selling:
and the Royal Promenade… DO DIFFERENTLY TO ANY
COMPETITORS’ SALES TEAMS? ■ Knowledge, communication and always
SUM UP ROYAL CARIBBEAN IN ONE We try our best to understand travel agents’ up sell!
SENTENCE needs while trying to achieve our goals and
Wow, wow and wow! working as a partnership. Most of the sales ■ Regular communication with clients
team have a retail background and have an is vital. It doesn’t always have to be
WHY DO YOU LIKE WORKING FOR excellent understanding of the challenges price-led – exciting news often creates
ROYAL CARIBBEAN? facing agents. business.
The company always looks for the positive.
Given these uncertain times, when the compe- ANY NEWS FOR 2009 YOU WOULD ■ Sell the benefits of an outside state-
tition is withdrawing and cancelling ship LIKE TO SHARE WITH READERS? room balcony or suite – break down the
builds, Royal Caribbean is looking forward. Brilliance of the Seas is the first Royal additional costs into a daily amount
We’re building bigger and better, and investing Caribbean ship to be sailing in Europe through- per person. I guarantee this works!
in the future of the UK cruise industry. out winter 2008-09. This deployment opens up
a fantastic new opportunity, as many clients do
WHAT WOULD YOUR CRUISE OF A not want to fly long-haul and a beautiful ship
LIFETIME BE? based from Barcelona during early 2009 fills
Contact details
I’ve sold Dubai for many years but never this demand. I also can’t wait until the world’s
For further details contact
actually been myself. So, when we recently largest cruise ship joins our fleet in December
Mark Walter on 07525 950801
announced that Brilliance of the Seas would 2009. The innovation, creativity and size of or mwalter@rccl.com
be deployed from Dubai in January 2010, I Oasis of the Seas takes cruising to a whole new
www.cruisingpower.co.uk
promised myself and the family a trip. level. Check out www.oasisoftheseas.com
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published in association with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line A/S
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