Si Morris-Green to head OTB cruise Robin Murray
Former Classic Collection B2B director Si Morris-Green is being kept on by parent On the Beach to head up a new cruise division. The launch comes after the online
travel agency closed its B2B arm to focus on its core B2C activities, which saw all 26 Classic Collection staff enter a consultation process. On the Beach’s range of cruise
holidays will initially offer cruise-only deals from Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean, with plans to “rapidly expand” to include deals from more cruise lines and full cruise packages in the coming months. The programme of sailings will
be accessed via a ‘cruise’ tab on the online agency’s website, which was set to go live as Travel Weekly went to press. The company said the move
marks a “strategic expansion”, adding to its ranges of beach holidays and city breaks. A spokesperson said the addition would enable the business to “serve customers looking for a different type of holiday experience”. Morris-Green,
who assumes the role of director of cruise, said: “I’m delighted
New trade platform to bolster Kuoni’s third-party support
Juliet Dennis
Kuoni is boosting its support for third-party travel agents by launching a trade platform with an AI sales tool and communicating via WhatsApp for the first time. Kuoni Connect is due to go live
on November 18 with offers, toolkits, training and booking tools. The operator is confident it will quickly surpass its target of attracting 1,000 agents within six months as it seeks improved trade engagement. Third-party agents are already
Kuoni’s fastest-growing distribution channel and the operator has described the new portal as a
6 6 NOVEMBER 2025
“step change” in its trade support. Head of trade partnerships Sarah
Weetman said: “Kuoni Connect will be home to everything Kuoni. It’s a huge investment.” The portal’s ‘learning lounge’
will launch with six training modules about the company, for which agents can earn a ‘Kuoni Insider’ badge. Destination-focused modules will follow next year. “The modules will start with
onboarding agents to our brand and customers, explaining why complexity [multi-centres] is great and how we make that simple,” said Weetman. A ‘Kuoni studio’ section will
offer downloadable assets for social
media and shops, with reels added over time. From mid-December, the portal will enable agents to personalise offers and window cards. A ‘Kuoni news’ section will
feature destination information, operator policies and experts’ tips. A ‘support desk’ will provide
different ways to contact Kuoni, including WhatsApp, initially in office hours, and email. A six-week pilot prior to the
peak season will “test and learn” WhatsApp trade communication. Weetman noted: “It’s purely for
support, not to check availability.” Kuoni’s first AI sales coach, called Kora, will answer agents’ questions
to be staying at On the Beach and leading the new cruise offer. I am confident my experience in the cruise industry will ensure On the Beach hits the ground running in this exciting growth segment. “There’s huge customer
demand for cruise holidays delivered with the same transparency and value that On the Beach is known for, and we look forward to bringing the best of the cruise world to both existing and new customers.” Morris-
Si Morris-Green
Green joined Classic Collection in
2020, following roles as marketing director at The Travel Network Group, head of distribution at easyJet holidays and marketing director at Planet Cruise. Jon Wormald, chief financial
officer at On the Beach, said: “There is no doubt that Si’s expertise and understanding of both the cruise market and On the Beach’s culture make him the perfect candidate to lead this expansion as we continue to give customers more ways to find their perfect holiday.” He added: “We are very excited
to launch our cruise offer. As well as being one of the fastest-growing segments of the travel market, we know it’s becoming increasingly attractive to a younger audience.”
Kuoni Connect; inset, Sarah Weetman
about the operator’s top-selling property, Kuramathi in the Maldives, with plans to add more destinations in future. Weetman said: “We’ll be able to
track what agents ask and tailor it as we develop it further.” The portal will also boast Kuoni’s
online booking tool, soft-launched last year for single-centre trips. “We now have double the number
of airlines bookable online,” Weetman added. “It means agents don’t have to go through the call centre for a quote.” Agents can pre-register via
kuoniconnect.co.uk to be in with a chance of winning one of five Espa wellness advent calendars.
travelweekly.co.uk
PICTURES:
free-mockup.com; Steve Dunlop
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