NEWS FACE TO FACE TOM MCALPIN &


STACY SHAW Virgin


Voyages


The fledgling cruise line this week revealed its commission structure ahead of going on sale on Valentine’s Day. Lucy Huxley talked to president and chief executive Tom McAlpin and vice-president of sales Stacy Shaw


Q. Are you pleased with the level of interest from potential agent partners? Shaw: The excitement from travel professionals, or ‘First Mates’, from around the world has been overwhelming. We’re still a few weeks from opening and we’ve far surpassed registration expectations.


Tom McAlpin and Stacy Shaw in Havana


Q. How has the UK fared within that? Are those who have registered mainly existing sellers of cruise, or others? Shaw: We have tripled the size of our UK team based on the reaction from First Mates and ‘Sailors’ [customers]. Many


14travelweekly.co.uk31 January 2019


PICTURE: CLAUDIO PELAEZ SORDO


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