Cruiseco chief executive Steve Lloyd has predicted Travelscene American Express will not prevent its agents from accessing Cruiseco product as he welcomed the retailer’s “greater involvement” in marketing the cruise sector.
After Travel Today revealed plans by Travelscene to claw back sales from Cruiseco by forming its own cruise club, Lloyd said he was “certain” there would be no issue.
“It is quite clear at the moment that Cruiseco members benefit from a wide range of unique products that currently cannot be emulated outside Cruiseco membership,” Lloyd said. “We are certain that TSAX has no intention of damaging their own privately owned members by attempting to deny them access to sales that cannot be found within their preferred range.
“Cruiseco welcomes members from all retail groups. Our experience is that loyalty cannot be legislated but has to be earned. We are confident that TSAX feel the same way.”
Travelscene general manager Jacqui Timmins refused to be drawn on whether agents would need to leave Cruiseco in order to join the in-house club. A launch is expected this year.
Lloyd said the launch of a Travelscene cruise club would help grow cruising further. “We welcome their involvement as partners in marketing cruise product,” he said.
