| Creative launches cruise consortium

CREATIVE Cruising’s new Cruise Spirit membership group (CW breaking news) will introduce a new cruise-focused option for independent travel agencies, with the new offshoot promising to work closely with cruise suppliers “to negotiate and deliver the very best deals for members”.

With the move announced this morning, Creative Cruising is posing a clear challenge to the long-established Cruiseco travel agency consortium which was created two decades ago by Phil Hoffmann and Kevin Dale, and is led by Steve Lloyd.

Creative Cruising General Manager Caroline Hitchen (pictured) said the new organisation would be developed in collaboration with Cruise Spirit’s travel agency partners to deliver benefits relevant to their business models.

“A membership group shaped by its travel agency members – this is the essence of Cruise Spirit,” she promised.

The new group’s members will be able to access curated cruise packages with handpicked inclusions, along with dedicated sales and marketing support and priority communication channels.

“Members will have access to market-leading cruise technology platforms, and all travel agency partners will receive their own branded online cruise booking website,” Hitchen said.

The consortium will welcome agents from both Australia and New Zealand, with Aussie agencies able to find out more from Lara Anderson on lara.anderson@creativecruising.com.au, and NZ agencies invited to contact Kylie Crouch on kylie.crouch@creativecruising.co.nz.

While expressions of interest in the new group are now open, it’s expected Cruise Spirit will formally launch in early 2021.