NEWS luxury sector is predicted to continue growing in 2024. Josie Klein reports from Crete


Operator considers adding cruise portfolio next year


C


Classic staff and agents


lassic Collection has hinted it could launch a luxury cruise portfolio next year. Chief executive Andy Freeth suggested


adding cruise would be a “natural progression”


for Classic Collection and would “complement” its existing product range, which includes a small selection of Egypt and Croatia sailings. The operator is discussing the expansion with travel


agents and suppliers to see how it could differentiate itself from other operators to create a “unique twist” on the luxury cruise space, Freeth said. Freeth previously introduced a cruise portfolio in his


role as chief executive at If Only, while Classic agency sales and marketing director Si Morris-Green spent five years as marketing director at Planet Cruise. “This wouldn’t be our first rodeo,” Freeth said, adding:


“Introducing cruise is something we’re talking about with our agent partners and we’re looking at how we can strike up partnerships with suppliers. “We don’t want to be the same as other people in this


space, we need to bring differentiation and value. “Cruise complements what we already do. Si launched


a cruise business and I brought cruise into If Only, so at a senior level we’ve got the knowledge and the networks but we need to think carefully before we launch it.”


Andy Freeth Classic Collection currently offers river cruises on the


Nile as well as a small range of coastline cruises in Croatia. Freeth said that if the operator expands its cruise range,


it would focus on boutique ocean cruises and would consider adding a wider range of river cruises at a later date. “We might need to bring in some talent to support our


plans or we might even have some in-house staff we could offer additional training,” he said. Freeth added: “We don’t have a firm date for when we would launch but watch this space.”


ndalone conference in Turkey next year The conference will take


place in Turkey in March as the operator believes the destination will have a strong year. “Taking agents to Turkey in


March feels like a smart move as the country is going to have a massive year next year so we want agents to see and feel the product to help them sell,” said chief executive Andy Freeth (pictured). “We have a group deal with Sun Express which is


absolutely motoring on Classic Package Holidays and the airline has added a huge amount of capacity that we want our agents to help us fill.”


Company to hear trade’s views at Classic Connect


Classic Collection is hoping to enhance its relationship with the trade with a new open forum concept called Classic Connect. The operator will host 15 agents at a time


on three dates within the next six months to hear from the trade about how they are engaging with product and their thoughts on Classic’s customer service. Senior managers will attend the


sessions, which will be held in the north of England, south of England and Midlands. Si Morris-Green said: “Classic Connect will be a two-way street


travelweekly.co.uk


where travel agents will tell us what they want around product, customer experience and service, as well as us asking them questions. “It will also give us the ability to get more data on how are agents are making sales, for example, through their existing client base or by using social media. This will help us shape how we tailor content so they can use it more effectively.” Head of sales north Leanne


Leanne Edwards


Edwards added: “We’ve got a fantastic relationship with the trade already but we want to keep enhancing that.”


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