NEWS


Travel Village recruits cruise homeworkers


Samantha Mayling


The Travel Village Group is recruiting home-based cruise agents to use the firm’s new ‘Leads Toolkit’ to sell holidays. The initiative will target cruise


specialists who have been made redundant or are looking for fresh opportunities to work under the Blackpool-based business’s three brands: The Cruise Village, Southampton Cruise Centre and RiverCruising.co.uk. Phil Nuttall, group chief executive and chair of Clia UK’s travel agent


advisory panel, said he wanted to build “a network of incredibly talented and passionate cruise experts”. “We have three of the strongest


and well-known cruise brands in the UK which have always been a lead-generated model,” he said. “In light of the raft of


redundancies we have seen [in the cruise industry], my team and I can offer some hope…for true cruise experts.” The ‘Leads Toolkit’ will offer


front and back-office support and the option of a website tailored to each agent’s customer profile.


“The unique opportunity is the


ability to choose which brand you want to work under: The Cruise Village or Southampton Cruise Centre,” said Nuttall. “Either way, you are free to promote and sell any cruise or non-cruise holiday under our Abta number. We are also keen to speak to any river cruise experts and explore unique opportunities.” Former Cunard manager Richard


Cross has joined as sales and commercial manager to support the home-based agents in negotiating deals tailored to the cruise experts’ customer databases.


Agents will earn 65% of


commission on bookings, receiving 25% when the sale is made and 40% six to eight weeks before travel. Nuttall added: “Many cruisers


have been frustrated over the last five months with the lack of contact and care provided, compounded by their inability to speak to someone about their cruise. “If you have your own database


of cruisers, or have an appetite for a challenge to go out and find cruise clients, then our open-door policy and history of customer care will give you a solid foundation to build on.”


TTNG: Cuts won’t impact service Juliet Dennis


The Travel Network Group has insisted the “streamlining” of its business “will not negatively impact” its services to members. The consortium has begun a


consultation with staff which could see 30 roles made redundant as it scales back on costs to cope with the Covid-19 crisis. Twenty-six members closed their doors as a result of the pandemic last month. The consultation is expected


to affect roles at six of the group’s offices, including 18 at its Woking headquarters. The company employs 112 people, supporting Worldchoice and Travel Trust Association


travelweekly.co.uk


agents and homeworking group Independent Travel Experts. Agent members were


confident The Travel Network Group could support them despite the cuts. Carolyn Park, owner of TTA


member C The World, said: “TTNG’s top management have always made themselves available to help and are very forward-thinking; they tell us what to prepare for. I have 100% confidence they will continue to have our best interests at heart.” Philippa Goodyer-Hill, partner of


Goodyer Travel, said: “We’ve been really impressed with the support so far and believe it will continue.” Nick Harding-McKay, director of Travel Designers, a member of Global


Gary Lewis


Travel Group which is currently being acquired by TTNG, said he had “every faith” in TTNG’s management team to “take the decisions needed”. He added: “The support TTNG has given Global members during this


time has been beyond anything we have ever received from Global.” TTNG chief executive Gary


Lewis reassured members changes were necessary for the consortium to remain “strong, robust and able to support them now and in the future”. He said: “The streamlining of the


business will not negatively impact the services we give our members.” Consultations began in March


but staff were placed on furlough when the Job Retention Scheme was introduced. After changes to the scheme were announced in July, TTNG decided not to continue with it beyond September 30 for several employees. Most affected roles are due to go by the end of September.


3 SEPTEMBER 2020 7


Phil Nuttall


PICTURE: Shutterstock


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