| Agents rush for National Cruise Week

ICCA has seen a spike in travel
agency memberships since it
announced the launch of
Australia’s largest cruise
promotion.
IN the past month, more than 50 travel
agencies from Australia and New Zealand
have signed up as new members of the
International Cruise Council Australasia in a
bid to take part in the inaugural National
Cruise Week.
ICCA general manager Brett Jardine said the
intake was the biggest for more than a decade.
“The membership surge is a fantastic
response to our first National Cruise Week,”
he said.
“The feedback I’m getting is that agents
from both countries see the event as a great
opportunity to boost sales and a wonderful
chance to raise their profiles as qualified
cruise specialists.”
As the largest consumer promotion ever
undertaken by the local cruise industry,
National Cruise Week (3-9 September 2012)
will feature a range of special deals available
only through ICCA-accredited agents.
The event is expected to involve more than
30 ICCA member cruise lines and at least
1,000 member travel agents across Australia
and New Zealand.
Jardine said he had now received all the
National Cruise Week offers from ICCA’s
cruise line members.
“There are some wonderful deals, which will
really help lift consumer awareness of the great
value that a cruise holiday offers and drive
bookings ahead of the summer cruise season.”
The special offers will go live on
www.nationalcruiseweek.com.au this Sunday
(26 August) coinciding with a national
consumer press campaign.
The website also featured an events area
where members can promote their Cruise
Week initiatives to consumers.
Agents wanting to highlight their events
should send details to info@cruising.org.au.