WINTER SUN Sun lovers’ getaways


Maximise your winter-sun bookings this year with the help of experts’ advice. Katie McGonagle reports


As the nights draw in and the temperature tumbles, many


of us start to dream about a burst of sunshine to keep us going through the chilly winter months – but idle fantasy is


a far cry from laying down cold, hard cash. That’s why we’ve canvassed the experts to find out how to boost your winter-sun sales and turn your customers’ daydreams of palm-fringed shores and piña coladas into guaranteed bookings.


DO . . . UPSELL FROM SUMMER Every summer holiday follow-up call or last-minute half-term booking is a chance to remind clients of the range of holidays


you can arrange, so be sure to work your best winter-sun deals into every customer conversation and social media post. Nicola McNeish, head of sales for Celebrity Cruises, says: “Winter-sun holidays can often be a second holiday for some clients, so agents should ask clients their winter plans when making a booking for summer. Sign up


to Celebrity Central to find toolkits for European winter sun, Caribbean and holiday sailings, complete with marketing assets including eye-catching photos and videos that can be shared on social media.”


DON’T . . . FORGET CLASSIC SUMMER DESTINATIONS Winter sun isn’t just about sweltering on a sunlounger – places that are baking hot and jam-packed in July can be far more enticing when the crowds


go home and the weather mellows. Much of the Mediterranean remains dry and sunny from November to March with temperatures hovering in the high teens or low 20s.


42 September 2023 travelweekly.co.uk/cruise


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