SHIP LAUNCH More than 600 agents attend Marella V


oyager’s christening. Josie Klein reports from Malaga


Tui invests in sales team in effort to target indie agents


T


ui is targeting increased sales through independent agents following Marella


Cruises’ engagement with its “largest-ever” contingent of third-party trade partners. Richard Sofer, Tui’s UK and


Ireland commercial director, said the operator had invested more in its sales team in order to foster relationships with independent agents. He shared the operator’s plans


during the shakedown of Marella Cruises’Marella Voyager, which was christened in front of 500 Tui agents and 100 independents in Malaga. “We are seeing more independent agents now than we have in recent


We want independent


agents to know that we are 100% designed for the British customer – from food to venues


years because we’ve invested in a bigger sales team,” said Sofer. “So we are seeing the virtues of


that in the bookings that are coming in. But we want to see more sales coming through independent agents.” He advised third-party agents to


immerse themselves in the Tui brand and to recognise its value for the British customer.


Becky Hill wows guests at Marella Voyager’s christening ceremony


Marella Voyager’s christening ceremony featured a performance by chart-topping singer Becky Hill. Hill, who has won two Brit


awards since rising to fame on The Voice UK, performed in front of more than 600 agents in Malaga. Marella Cruises managing


director Chris Hackney said: “The launch of Marella Voyager marks an exciting moment for us, so it was an honour to have Becky Hill join us in celebrating such a fantastic night.


10 8 JUNE 2023 “The evening was a celebration


of the hard work and dedication that has gone into Voyager’s debut.” The ceremony also saw the


vessel’s two godmothers, Marella Cruises chief purser Tatyana Olkhovska and Jacqui Nobile, senior destination services operations manager at Tui, smash a champagne bottle against the ship’s hull. Hackney added:


Becky Hill


“Marella Voyager is part of our vision to continually modernise and grow our fleet.”


“Tui is a well-known brand and


customers trust us,” said Sofer. “We want our independent agents to know that we are 100% designed for the British customer – from food to venues to shows. We are absolutely on point for what our core customers want – we make no compromises. “People come back to Tui time


and time again, knowing their needs will be 100% catered for. “It’s important our independent agents know just how fantastic a


Tui holiday is – be it beach, city or cruise – so they can push sales. “People can be nervous about


trying new holidays and want to know they will have an excellent experience. We want to give them the trust, so they can test different holiday types under the Tui umbrella – so beachgoers might try their first cruise or vice versa. “It’s a massive advantage of


our business model and we want agents to shout about it.”


AGENTS’ VIEWS


Christiane McCorgray, Thorne Travel “It has been a


brilliant trip. It’s always such good fun going on a shakedown – and this is no exception. This is my first time on a Marella cruise and it has been amazing to experience the product. I am really impressed with the ship; it’s a fantastic, family-friendly environment and I know my clients will love it. We already have customers booked on a Marella V


oyager itinerary – and I can now tell them about the ship in detail. It makes a huge difference coming on board, and it will definitely be reflected in my sales and customer satisfaction rates.”


Irene Smith, Dawson & Sanderson “This trip has been amazing – I feel so


privileged to be one of the first people to sail on the ship. Marella V


oyager is


beautiful and far bigger than I thought it would be. The facilities are great and there is so much to do. Marella Cruises is one of my top-selling holidays and I have been on other ships in the line’s fleet. But this one is the nicest. I’ve got a few customers booked to come on in the next couple of weeks, and I’m excited to go home and tell them all the tips and tricks I’ve learnt, so they can have the best time while they’re on board.”


Marella Voyager; inset, Richard Sofer


travelweekly.co.uk


PICTURES: Tom Fallon; Lauren Mustoe; David Lothian


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