Azamara Cruises hosted travel agents on Azamara Quest in Gibraltar during CLIA Destination Showcase 2024, highlighting immersive travel and destination-focused experiences.
LONDON, UK – Azamara Cruises, the small-ship cruise line and leader in Destination Immersion experiences, hosted travel agents onboard Azamara Quest last week in Gibraltar, during the CLIA Destination Showcase 2024, marking the start of CLIA Cruise Week UK & Ireland 2024.
Head of Trade Sales UK, Stuart Pearce, commented: “It’s incredibly fitting for Azamara to be part of the CLIA Destination Showcase, as destinations are central to everything we do. This event also marks a significant milestone, as it’s the first international visit of an Azamara ship for UK and Irish agents in over five years. We were excited to have our valued partners onboard and to share our unique approach to immersive travel.”
The visit, held at the Gibraltar Cruise port, was an opportunity for agents to experience an Azamara’s ship and develop a thorough understanding of what sets Azamara apart in the cruise industry, such as its immersive land experiences and longer stays in port, with more late nights and overnights than any other cruise line. This allows guests to explore destinations in-depth, with one-of-a-kind shore excursions and complimentary cultural events, such as the exclusive AzAmazing Evenings, which offers authentic, culturally enriching experiences that highlight the spirit of the destination. From private performances by local artists to cultural festivals, these offerings were introduced to the agents during onboard discussions, giving them a deeper understanding of how Azamara curates these experiences.
Among the agents attending, a mix of representatives from both independent agencies and larger travel companies participated. The agents were welcomed onboard by key members of the Azamara UK team, including Head of Trade Sales UK and Ireland, Stuart Pearce, as well as Business Development Manager, Moira Gregson, and Business Support Executive, Jed Hodge. The team led comprehensive tours of the ship, followed by a delicious three-course lunch at Aqualina, one of Azamara’s specialty dining restaurants that has helped play a role in the cruise line win “best dining” awards. Expert sommeliers were on hand to suggest perfect wine pairings from the complimentary curated list available onboard, enhancing the fine dining experience. The visit also provided agents with valuable insights into Azamara’s commitment to Destination Immersion®. These insights were shared during engaging onboard talks, where agents learned about the unique benefits of small-ship cruising, such as access to less crowded ports and off-the-beaten-path destinations.
Lorraine Hales, a travel agent from iTravel by Lorraine, shared her thoughts on the experience, stating, “Seeing the Azamara Quest first-hand was incredibly valuable. The ship’s distinctive features and intimate atmosphere truly stand out in person. This experience will greatly enhance my ability to convey the exceptional quality and destination focus of Azamara to my clients.”
This event was a key part of ongoing efforts to strengthen relationships with travel partners and showcase the distinct advantages of cruising with Azamara Cruises. In addition, Azamara has recently relaunched the Azamara World Academy, an engaging and educational online, global programme that ensures agents have the necessary tools to effectively sell Azamara Cruises. Azamara has also doubled its agent reward to £20 per booking for the month of September, further strengthening its commitment to delivering enhanced support for the travel agent community.
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