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CLIA to launch travel agent programme into France

CLIA to launch travel agent programme into France
CLIA is launching its cruise learning programme into the French market. Travel agents in France who become CLIA members will have access to online training, dedicated resources and opportunity to work towards industry recognised accreditation.

The number of French passengers taking a cruise in 2014 rose by nearly 14% to 593,000.

To support the online portal, CLIA will also launch a number of French travel agent focussed events in 2016 to bring together travel agents, cruise line executives and industry partners to further inform on all aspects of cruising.

The Learning Academy provides almost 90 cruise and cruise sales training modules together with a resource centre containing more in-depth reports and statistics.  The Cruise Tool Box features resources to assist agents during the sales process; CLIA factsheets; a cruise search engine and CLIA Destination Guides. The third area features news and special guest columns, and a centralised calendar of cruise industry events open to travel agents.  

CLIA director, Andy Harmer said, 'The launch of Cruise Experts in France demonstrates CLIA’s commitment and its cruise line members in growing cruise sales.  CLIA UK & Ireland has made a significant investment in Cruise Experts with almost 6,800 travel agents active on the UK website over the past 12 months, so I’m delighted we are sharing these assets with our European colleagues.'

CLIA Europe and MedCruise are jointly working to create the learning platform for French travel agents particularly ensuring the balanced promotion of all MedCruise members in the destination module.

During a special event, held on board CroisiEurope's Botticelli, MedCruise president Carla Salvadό explained the main objectives of this joint initiative, and the importance that MedCruise assigns in the further development of the strategic collaboration between MedCruise and CLIA Europe. MedCruise director of professional development and French Riviera Ports marketing and communication manager, Anne-Sophie Peyran, also joined the discussions.