informer your update from the cruise experts In light of the terrible events of January 13th I would like to add my deepest sympathies to all passengers and crew affected by the incident with Costa Concordia last month and we should pay tribute to those who worked relessly to evacuate the ship and help minimise casuales. ACE has been working closely with cruise lines, travel agents and the internaonal cruise community to provide informaon to our wider travel agent community during these uncertain mes. A number of travel agents have requested guidance on how best to answer some quesons that are being raised by customers and so ACE has created a guide to assist with any specific queries that you may have. Click HERE to view the ACE & PSA Safety at Sea Document We must also keep in mind that whilst this incident is tragic, accidents like this are an extremely rare occurrence in the industry and cruising connues to be one of safest means of travel among all types of holiday. We understand that the travel industry is oſten affected by external factors and therefore ACE recommends that we all start to ‘think differently’, harnessing the power of new media and building on key messages that have made cruising so popular. To assist you in these trying mes we have put together a series of events and seminars and I look forward to seeing you at one of them soon. Adele Editor February 2012 | Association of Cruise Experts In this issue: ACE & Social Media ACE Cruise Convention 2012: Your Questions Answered New ACE Events for 2012 ACE Travel Partner Focus: Rocky Mountaineer The Final Word Welcome back! We thought we’d seen you checking us out.... Welcome ACE Members
Transcript
informeryour update from the cruise experts
In light of the terrible events of January 13th I would like to add my deepest sympathies to all passengers and crew affected by the incident with Costa Concordia last month and we should pay tribute to those who worked tirelessly to evacuate the ship and help minimise casualties. ACE has been working closely with cruise lines, travel agents and the international cruise community to provide information to our wider travel agent community during these uncertain times.
A number of travel agents have requested guidance on how best to answer some questions that are being raised by customers and so ACE has created a guide to assist with any specific queries that you may have. Click HERE to view the ACE & PSA Safety at Sea Document
We must also keep in mind that whilst this incident is tragic, accidents like this are an extremely rare occurrence in the industry and cruising continues to be one of safest means of travel among all types of holiday.
We understand that the travel industry is often affected by external factors and therefore ACE recommends that we all start to ‘think differently’, harnessing the power of new media and building on key messages that have made cruising so popular. To assist you in these trying times we have put together a series of events and seminars and I look forward to seeing you at one of them soon.
1. Why is the event being split this year?Splitting out the Columbus Day will allow us to create two very different events that are much more focussed on helping the audience that is attending. The Selling Cruise Conference in Southampton (as the name suggests) is all about “selling” - helping those who attend with the best advice, tips and information to sell more. Meanwhile the Columbus Day event in Birmingham revolves around supporting business owners, managers and senior executives with growing their business. This does not mean that the first event is just for front line travel agents - it is targeted at those who actively sell cruising, and those who help others to sell.
2. How will the Southampton event differ from previous years?Against a backdrop of some really challenging economic news we know that it is more important than ever to ensure that you get the best advice, top tips, trends and inspiration you need to return to work after the event and sell more cruising. So the conference content will be radically different - with real advice, support and help that can make a difference to your sales. This is an important year for the cruise industry - and the Convention is a really important way for ACE to help you grow your sales. One of the other big differences is the way in which we have split the Southampton event. Day One is our business day in our conference hotel - so, without interruption and without moving from one place to another, we have plenty of time for conference sessions, networking and the Trade Fair. Day two is about the ships: P&O Adonia, Grand Princess, Independence of the Seas and Queen Elizabeth.
Cruise ShowcasesHere at ACE we are committed to developing our training and support to enable us to assist every one of our members grow their cruise business. Those of you who already know us, know we will do everything we can to achieve that aim.
Our new evening events will be held across 2012 and are a fantastic opportunity to network, to hear about trends in cruising and how these changes might affect you and to hear from a hand-picked selection of our cruise line and travel partners. You will spend time with each of the partners attending, before joining us for a bite to eat. This event will take place between 6.30pm and 9pm, what a great way to learn about some of the diverse products available. Eventually we aim to reach as many corners of the UK as possible, but for now we will nearest to your area as follows:
21st Feb Newcastle Marriott Hotel, Gosforth Park, Newcastle23rd Feb Marriott Sprowston Manor, NorwichPlease email [email protected] to register for a place
New ACE Events for 2012
Do you remember this?
Digital Seminar Getting ahead in challenging times calls for new thinking, new ideas and new opinions. This is where the ACE Think Differently Seminars come in...so join us on March 6th onboard Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas as industry experts help you through the current digital trends and opportunities to give you some top ideas and expert opinion to help you grow your cruise sales.
We will look at the whole range of online marketing opportunities available, case studies and how you can best connect with your customers using social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.Email [email protected] for a place
Working LunchesOur travel agent members are on the front line of selling to customers; and it is our travel agent members who often have some of the best ideas, thoughts, feedback, and suggestions.
So, we would like as many of you as possible to join us for the first series of ACE Working Lunches, where over a sandwich we can ask for your opinions, your thoughts and ideas to help us make ACE better able to serve you and the cruise industry. These are very small informal chats, only lasting about an hour and 15 mins at the most, to enable our agents to attend in their lunch break.
Please email [email protected] if you are able to make it to one of the following:21st Feb Venue TBC, Edinburgh from 1pm22nd Feb The Legacy Preston International Hotel, Preston, Lancashire from 1pm 23rd Feb Venue TBC, Peterborough from 1pm
3. What about networking?We know that networking, making new contacts and catching up with existing colleagues is a really important part of our events. In Southampton we will be in a conference hotel so throughout the day the networking is much easier, and so whilst the chance to ‘talk business’ is focussed on the Trade Fair, we know that being based in one location, the venue will help us ensure some excellent networking throughout the day.
4. Are there ship visits this year?Yes - we view it as an important part of the Cruise Convention. If you would like to visit some of the 4 ships in port on the second day then simply register for your place via cruiseexperts.org and we will follow-up with ship visit information as soon as we have confirmed details.
5. How much is it to attend?This year we are charging agent delegates £55 if booked by the end of February. It is important to note that this year because we are using the excellent facilities at conference hotel Botley Park that numbers are fixed - so book early to avoid disappointment.
connect
Selling Cruise Conference 2012
May 1st09:15 | Registration opens at Botley Park10:15 | Conference and business sessions12:30 | Lunch13:30 | Conference and business sessions15:00 | Trade Fair marketplaceEvening entertainment
May 2ndShip visit day (timings and details TBC)
Click HERE to view the entire album from the ‘09 ACE Cruise Convention
www.flickr.com/photos/acecruiseexperts/
Registration
Now Open
www.cruiseexperts.org
Click Here
Presented as part of our Think Differently Seminars
Come and make friends with us on facebook, tweet us on twitter, check out some great photos on flickr and read the most up to date blogs on tumblr. Come and
be social!http://www.facebook.com/ACEcruiseexperts
Internationally-acclaimed Rocky Mountaineer offers over 45 Canadian holiday packages and four unique rail routes, rich in history and natural wonders, through British Columbia and Alberta. This world renowned, luxurious train travels by daylight through the wild beauty of Canada’s West and is the best way to experience the majestic Canadian Rockies.
Rocky Mountaineer offers the best travel experience on land and water – a rail journey through British Columbia and the Canadian Rockies and a cruise through the stunning icebergs and scenery in Alaska. Bringing together the service of two world-renowned partners, the Rocky Mountaineer and Holland America Line, a Rocky Mountaineer Rail & Cruise holiday is the ideal way to catch the natural drama unfolding in Western Canada and Alaska from both land and sea. Rocky Mountaineer also works with a number of ACE agents who are combining a Rocky Mountaineer land holiday with six-star cruise lines.
In 2013, Rocky Mountaineer will launch its new Coastal Passage route, which will connect Seattle and Vancouver en route to the Canadian Rockies. The new route is Rocky Mountaineer’s fifth rail journey and it’s first from the US. Guests will traverse the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest from the comfort of Rocky Mountaineer’s luxurious GoldLeaf Service, a bi-level dome coach that offers panoramic views and a private dining car. After an overnight stay in Vancouver, guests will continue on to their final destination of either Banff or Jasper.
Rocky Mountaineer has recently confirmed it is partnering up with the Canadian Tourism Commission as joint headline sponsors of the UK Cruise Convention. Leslie Peden, Rocky Mountaineer’s Director of Sales – EMEA – comments: “With so many of our guests combining a cruise with a trip on Rocky Mountaineer, it’s vital that we work as closely as we can with agents and cruise retailers to help them give their customers life changing experiences.”
This year, Rocky Mountaineer launches its full programme for SilverLeaf, the company’s newest and third level of service, available on all First Passage to the West trains between Vancouver and Banff or Calgary. This exciting addition to the Rocky Mountaineer line-up allows guests to experience the beauty of Western Canada and the Canadian Rockies. In SilverLeaf, guests enjoy panoramic views through the single level dome coach as well as hot meal service at their seats. In addition, Onboard Attendants provide exceptional service and fascinating commentary on the history and ecology of the passing region.
In addition to headline sponsoring the UK Cruise Convention, Rocky Mountaineer will be participating in the four ACE Cruise Showcases in Newcastle Upon Tyne on 21st February, Norwich on 23rd February, Exeter on 26th June and Belfast on 28th June.
For more information about Rocky Mountaineer call 00800 0606 7372 or visit www.agent.rockymountaineer.com
It is easy to forget how quickly attitudes to travel and the way that we holiday, change over the years.A recent survey by Teletext Holidays showed that children 30 years ago wouldn’t have travelled by plane until they were 13 years old. Today, children begin travelling with their parents on holiday on average from the age of 4 years and 9 months.
Indeed 40% of those polled would have no hesitation flying with a baby who was only a few months old.
Of course there is a tremendous appeal for cruising to families. Its inclusivity, value for money and vast array of family friendly activities and entertainment, not to men-tion the many wonderful destinations visited make cruising an ideal choice not just for traditional families but also for multi-generational families.
Keeping up to date with these trends not just in travel, but also in marketing and consumer behaviour, are vital parts of selling more cruise. It is essential that travel agents are able to be flexible, adaptable and innovative in their approach to cruise selling, and we should be proud of the UK travel agent sector that so often excels in these areas. But keeping ahead of the game is more important now than ever and this is one of the reasons why we have a number of new events coming up.
So we do hope you can join us at an ACE Showcase, at our first Digital Seminar and at the ACE Cruise Convention (and our first ever Selling Cruise Conference), because we will use these events to offer the advice, tips, trends and inspiration that will enable delegates to try something new to attract new business. They will offer travel agents a competitive edge in a very competitive holiday market.
Staying one-step ahead of the competition is vital and ACE is here to support you.
I hope to see you soon,AndyACE Director
Focus on your Ace Travel Partner ACE is able to offer, through its network of Travel Partners a unique opportunity to communicate with some of the leading organisations in the travel industry. Did you know that Rocky Mountaineer are ACE Travel Partners?
Mail Newspapers continually speak to our consumers about subjects that matter to them. In the last two years we have asked our readers about finance, technology, social media and of course Travel and Cruising. We have found out;• The top reasons why consumers go on a cruise• The top reasons consumers do not go on a cruise• How our readers perceive cruise brands• How much they spend on their cruise and extras on-board
Your Questions Are Needed….In 2012 we want to continue understanding the cruise consumer and would love your input. As headline sponsors of this year’s Cruise Convention, the Daily Mail and The Mail on Sunday will be undertaking further research which we will be sharing with you at this year’s conventions in Southampton and Birmingham.
If you would like to help contribute to this research and have questions you would like to ask, then please do not hesitate to get in touch. Please email Mark Mahoney [email protected] or call Mark on 020 3615 0329
Introducing the first ever Selling Cruise Conference as part of the 6th annual ACE Cruise Convention for those who want to discover a world of cruise opportunities, advice, trends and inspiration. Combining multiple ship visits with business sessions, a compelling conference programme, and plenty of networking opportunities... this is the ultimate 2012 cruise event. Come and join us.
Cunard Queen Elizabeth
Princess CruisesGrand Princess
P&O Cruises Adonia
Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas
2 daySOUTHAMPTON May 1 & 2, 2012
Tuesday 1st May | The ConferenceTrade Fair | Networking lunch Conference & business sessions | Evening entertainment
Wednesday 2nd May | Ship Visits
Book now for Early Booking Savings available until 29 February 2012
Travel Weekly Competition Submit your TOP TIPS for selling cruise
Travel Weekly and ACE have teamed up as part of our media partnership to offer 10 free delegate places, worth £55. To enter, submit your top tips for selling cruise; you can submit as many as you like. Those who submit the best 10 - as chosen by a panel of experts - will win the 10 prizes. These tips will be featured at the Cruise Convention, and the 10 winners will also compete in a contest to win a number of star prizes, including a cruise with Carnival Cruise Lines.
Email your tips, by February 29, to [email protected], with ACE Tickets as the sibject. Include your contact and travel agency details.
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