3Qs for Cruise Month: Patrick Clark, Avalon Waterways
In honor of National Plan a Cruise Month, TMR is interviewing executives from across the travel industry. If you would like to be included email us editor@travelmarketreport.com.
Today's interview is with Patrick Clark, managing director of Avalon Waterways.
What will you be doing differently in 2016?
We have unveiled a television advertising campaign with HGTV, the Travel Channel, and BBC America to increase awareness of Avalon Waterways’ unique point of view. In addition, we have introduced new Europe itineraries for 2016 and have expanded the number of themed cruises and departures available.
What advice do you have for agents selling river cruises?
We encourage travel agents to target Baby Boomers and ocean cruisers: Those travelers are educated, well-traveled, and have more disposable income. We also invite travel agents to take advantage of our many, timely promotional offers as they arise. The best deals run early in the booking season. For instance, we have great promos running right now on our Paris-to-Normandy cruises as well as our Holland and Belgium tulip time itineraries. Also, for the first time, we’re offering solo cruisers the opportunity to waive the single supplement on up to 10 staterooms on EVERY departure in 2016, while supplies last.
What do you wish agents better understood about working with Avalon?
We offer travel agents an immense amount of support and complimentary resources, including Avalon Specialist training, marketing materials, and a wealth of expertise to complement their sales efforts. These resources can be found at our Travel Agent Portal at www.globusfamilypartner.com. In addition, agents have an unparalleled income-earning advantage when they partner with us thanks to our family of brands: Avalon Waterways, Globus, Cosmos, and Monograms.