| Cruise Holidays reveals agent model

The new Australian program
supports home-based agents and
retail stores, with a focus on
building careers in the cruise
industry.
CRUISE Holidays has delivered a complete
solution for ambitious agents, including those
who would like to open their own store.
As the only cruise specialist in Australia to
provide options for both retail stores and
home-based agents, the company has
launched a program that provides a purposebuilt
back office system specifically designed
for cruise agents, a full service personalised
website and direct mail pieces delivered on
behalf of agents to their clients.
The local operation is backed by the company’s
US partners, Cruise Holidays International, and
its owner Travel Leaders Leisure Group.
“This gives us the confidence to bring to
Australia a business model that has been in
practise for 28 years in the biggest cruise
market in the world,” said Cruise Holidays
managing director Les Farrar.
“If an agent or consultant is passionate about
cruising and wants to become a true cruise
specialist, then we offer the best opportunity
in the industry.
“And if a successful home-based agent one
day wants to open their own store, we can
facilitate that,” he said.
According to Farrar, several agents have
signed up to the program prior to the launch
and contracts are being exchanged with a
further two Sydney-based business owners.
Queensland’s CruiseMart signed a Master
Franchise agreement with Cruise Holidays
International in July 2012 and since then has
worked to modify its systems for Australian use.
Each of its members now has an individual
website with live booking capabilities for major
cruise lines.
Farrar said the Cruise Holidays membership
fees are competitive with existing home-based
and franchise businesses and include “excellent
value” marketing, website and other benefits.
See www.joincruiseholidays.com.au