NEWS ROUND-UP
Vertical seeks tour operators for new viewdata system
Vertical Systems is appealing for operators to work on a “modern version” of legacy system viewdata. Scores of agents called for the
return of the old-style technology in response to polls by viewdata owners Vertical on Facebook forum site Travel Gossip and on Travel Weekly’s Facebook page. Vertical managing director Chris
North said: “What agents miss is the search system that sat in front of viewdata, called Magic Desktop, where you could search loads of different operators.” Vertical said it was in the early
stages of replicating the “any date, any destination” search across numerous operators’ systems – but needed operators’ support to “give a beter experience and results”. Te system would merge
operators’ flat files to create one large database for agents to search. When agents clicked on the price, it would ‘deep-link’ into the operator’s site to book. Te information would be returned automatically to the agent’s Tarsc back-office system. Meanwhile, Vertical Systems’
sales manager, David Trunkfield, has retired aſter 28 years and 45 years in the industry. He was one of the first users of the original Tarsc system when he set up his own agency Trunkfield Travel in 1988. North said: “Everyone knows him and he is well-respected.”
Comment: “The interesting result of the Cook collapse will be what happens to the OTAs” Noel Josephides, page 18
Clia unveils online guide for new-to-cruise agents
Harry Kemble Clia Cruise360 conference, Malta
Clia has created an online cruise guide to help new-to-cruise agents boost their knowledge of the sector and grow sales. Te guide includes a cruise
terminology glossary, a ship order book, a list of vessels sailing ex-UK in 2020, key cruise line contacts and a section on how to make the most of being a Clia member. In addition to the online cruise
guide, which is available now on Clia’s website (
cruiseexperts.org), a two-day workshop will be held next May designed to help “agents feel comfortable and knowledgeable” when selling cruise. Plans to offer more workshops for
the trade beyond May will depend on agent demand. Te decision to offer the extra
educational opportunities was made following consumer research carried out by the cruise association earlier this year and feedback from Clia working groups. Of the 409 UK cruise consumers
surveyed about their booking habits, 96% said they used a travel agent and would go on a cruise holiday again. Clia UK & Ireland director Andy Harmer (pictured) unveiled the plans
NCL plans ‘extensive’ $100m
renovation of Norwegian Spirit Norwegian Spirit will be fitted with 14 new venues, additional cabins and an expanded spa as part of a $100 million overhaul. The ship, built in 1998, will go into dry dock for 40 days in Marseille on January 2, 2020, ahead of its relaunch in Asia in March. Norwegian Cruise Line described the revamp as its “most extensive ship renovation ever”.
8 31 OCTOBER 2019
Andy Harmer at Malta conference
at the Clia Cruise360 conference in Malta this week where he also revealed the association’s agent membership had grown from 700 to more than 4,000 in the past 13 years. Harmer said: “We have looked at
supporting agents who don’t yet feel like an expert: those who are selling one or two cruises a year or one or two cruises a month and want to increase their cruise bookings. “Te new-to-cruise guide and
the workshops are the first part of a much bigger listening exercise to understand what people are looking for from us.”
Ex-Freedom group members
plan ‘Farewell’ party in Derby A ‘Farewell to Freedom’ party is being planned for former members of the consortium hit by the collapse of owner Thomas Cook. Party committee member Ian Gilder, of Harlow-based Adore Cruises, is appealing for sponsors to support the party, to be held at Derby’s Pride Park stadium on December 1.
We are supporting
agents who don’t yet feel like a expert: those selling one or two cruises a month
It is the first time Clia has
designed training specifically for new-to-cruise agents. “We have worked with our trade
engagement group and our travel agent advisory group to produce these initiatives,” Harmer added.
Bear Grylls to speak at Travel
Counsellors’ annual conference Bear Grylls will be the keynote speaker at Travel Counsellors’ 2019 conference in Manchester. The TV adventurer and ex-SAS trooper will speak to 2,000 delegates at the company’s 25th anniversary conference on November 15-17. Grylls has won two Baftas for his TV programmes and been awarded an OBE.
travelweekly.co.uk
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