New joiners overcome hurdles of selling a cruise by joining ground-breaking educational trip on board ship across the Med – limited places still available

In a bid to allow all its franchisees to master the art of selling a cruise holiday, The Travel Franchise has organised two Seminars at Sea educational trips this year - and there’s still time to invest in a franchise and join their cruise on Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady. 

As a company that isn’t afraid to do things differently, these educational trips are designed to redefine what it means to “go on a work trip”. 

“These trips are a perfect combination of business and pleasure,” says The Travel Franchise co-founder Paul Harrison. “The best way to learn how fabulous a cruise holiday is, is to actually step on board and set sail. We take the classroom with us as we cruise the Mediterranean Sea. We literally ‘live’ the lessons and ensure our agents really get to know what they’re selling to their customers.” 

As well as attending a series of workshops and lectures onboard, franchisees also experience all the entertainment and dining options that the ship has to offer. Plus, they get to enjoy the shore excursions at all the ports of call.

The Seminars were born out of the fact that a cruise holiday is among the most lucrative booking that a travel agent can make. It’s the sector of travel that often reaps the highest rewards for consultants. Yet, having said that, a cruise can also be one of the most complicated and challenging holiday bookings that a travel agent will ever face and hence, Harrison noticed that many of the company’s agents were shying away from selling cruises. 

“We decided to address this head on by launching our dedicated Cruise Division. Our workshops and lectures that make up the educational part of our Seminar at Sea trips, teach agents how to simplify and break down the whole booking process. We bring in our cruise experts and experienced agents to share all their tips and tricks of the trade. 

“The result of this time and investment have been phenomenal. We’ve seen the sales of cruises skyrocket with a 64% increase in revenues and a 25% year-on-year rise in the number of bookings for holidays-at-sea made in January alone.” 

The cost to attend one of these ground-breaking Seminar at Sea trips is heavily subsided for agents. Yet, the expense is easily recouped with subsequent cruise sales more than covering the costs. In fact, many agents actually secure cruise sales while on the actual trip itself. 

The next Seminar at Sea is due to take place in May and will be hosted by Princess Cruises. This particular programme is already fully booked. However, limited places are still available on the following Seminar scheduled to depart in June with Virgin Cruises. Life onboard this adult-only cruise is always guaranteed to be fun – as only Virgin knows how. 

“Virgin is renowned for doing things differently, so our consultants get a real, first-hand insight into this unique cruise line that always sets itself apart from others,” says Harrison. 

Agents who sign up now get the opportunity to join what is sure to be an enlightening, fun and rewarding trip. But places are limited and availability is on a first-come, first served basis. 

“Attending our Seminars has proved to be a game changer for so many of our agents, so I urge potential franchisees who are keen to tap into the high commissions to be had by selling cruises, to act fast,” says Harrison. “If you join now you can secure your spot on our next Seminar and I look forward to seeing you on board.”