Apprentices sought for eco course Juliet Dennis


AS Training has issued a plea for 10 firms to put forward candidates to ensure the first travel-specific apprenticeship in sustainable practices can go ahead this autumn. The Level 4 Corporate


Responsibility and Sustainability Practitioner course is offered by 30 training providers nationally, including universities, but only eight are currently delivering it. AS Training is the only training provider from the travel industry offering the course. Michelle Van Sprang, managing


director at AS Training, is hoping to run the first nationally recognised course designed specifically to


meet the needs of the travel sector from September – provided it receives enough support. The Level 4 course, called


Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Practitioner, needs a minimum of 10 students to go ahead. It is completed via remote learning over two years and is geared towards training sustainability ambassadors in the workplace. Apprenticeships are 95% to 100% government-funded. “We need 10 companies to each


pledge one person for the first course to go ahead,” said Van Sprang. She believes the course could


become even more relevant in future, potentially becoming a mandatory qualification, as sustainability becomes increasingly


Ambassador unveils plans to expand to five ships by 2028


Ella Sagar


The chief executive of Ambassador Cruise Line has said the company is committed to growing its fleet from three to five ships by 2028 as he outlined plans to expand its Caribbean programme. The line made its debut in May


2023 and has three ships following its merger with French operator Compagnie Française de Croisières (CFC) last year. Christian Verhounig said: “Our


ambitions have always been clear that we want to grow to five ships in the first five years [of operation], so we have to get ahead of the curve to look


6 10 JULY 2025


for the next steps. We are always on the lookout for what makes sense and adds value to the business.” He added: “I would love later next


year to announce the next addition to the fleet with new itineraries.” Verhounig also said he would like


to ensure Ambassador’s inaugural Caribbean fly-cruise programme was “not a one-off” and would look to expand from the 10 voyages offered on one ship for winter 2025-26. Noting sales for the programme


had “outperformed expectations”, he said: “There are still cruises that have capacity available, but it’s ahead of what we were expecting, especially for the first season.”


Verhounig said customers were


booking “further and further out” but there was also “strong demand for late bookings”. However, he added: “The pleasant


thing is we do not have many lates available, which makes it easier.” Verhounig reported an average


occupancy rate across the fleet of 97% last year. He credited the travel trade for “massively driving growth” and noted the impact of launching seasonal programmes earlier. Referring to business this year, he


said high repeat and recommendation rates had maintained momentum, adding: “We have increased our revenue by 25% year on year and have over 180,000 guests who have travelled with us as we now have the product right.” While admitting the company had


been “very worried” about the effect of US trade policy on consumer confidence, he said the line was yet to see an impact on sales, with May up year on year and month on month and that trend continuing into June.


travelweekly.co.uk We need 10


companies to each pledge one person for the course to go ahead


important to the travel industry. “We are willing to make the


investment because we think there is a gap in the market,” she said, adding: “We will make it engaging and fun.” Van Sprang said the course could


suit any travel professional in the sector, but added: “Ultimately, they must have a passion and opportunity to embed this in the workplace.” The course is being adapted by AS Training to include elements


relevant to the industry. Highlights include embedding sustainability into business strategy, for example by supporting certifications such as Travelife, B Corp or ISO 14001; balancing short-term needs with long-term impact; and understanding relevant environmental and sustainability legislation. It also includes risk management


relating to corporate responsibility; measuring and reporting on sustainability outcomes such as carbon footprint, social value and green office practices; and engaging business and customers with responsible travel choices. The course would also promote


fair employment, cultural sensitivity, and positive local economic impact.


Ambassador ship Ambience. Inset:


Christian Verhounig


PICTURES: cti.info@cruisetravelimage.com; Stephen Ambrose


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