New online programs from CLIA to help agents increase cruise sales

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has added five new online courses to its professional development program, available to CLIA Travel Agency, Individual Agent Members and non-member travel professionals.

“At CLIA, we are proud to offer the industry’s leading professional development programs and courses to CLIA Travel Agency and Individual Agent Members as well as non-member travel professionals,” said Stephani McDow, director, Membership & Professional Development, CLIA. “As the cruising industry changes and grows, our travel agent community continues to adapt and find new ways to contribute to cruise vacation sales, bringing in a large portion of cruise bookings year after year.”

Descriptions of the new course offerings are as follows:

• Converting Prospects to Customers: Whether travel professionals are booking for the first time or are seasoned travel professionals, this course will help travel professionals close more bookings, and perfect their closing styles.
• Personal Branding: Having a personal brand can help to make or break a business. In this seminar, travel professionals will learn tips to help them standout and become THE travel professional people know about, want to do business with, and trust.
• The New Face of Luxury: During this quick-paced seminar, travel professionals will learn how the face of luxury cruising is changing, from cruisers to destinations to the ships themselves. By the end of this course, CLIA-certified travel professionals will have the tools they need to tap into this fast-growing market by getting the inside knowledge that will make them successful luxury cruise agents.
• Customer Relationship Management: At CLIA, we understand that success at selling travel has more to do with the one-on-one relationships travel professionals create with their clients. A CRM (Customer Relations Management) system has made it even more feasible to create these personal connections. In this seminar, travel professionals will discover the 18 ways a CRM system can benefit their sales, service and marketing efforts.
• Developing Your Marketing Strategy: Successful businesses know a marketing plan is essential. In this seminar, travel professionals will learn how to develop an easy-to-use marketing plan and strategy, get details on a proven marketing model that will help differentiate them from everyone else, and learn how to implement promotions that best meet the needs of their businesses.

CLIA’s online courses are available to Individual Agent Members at the member rate of $29/course and non-member travel professionals at $59/course.

For more information on these new online courses and to enroll in one of CLIA’s Certification programs, agents can visit www.cruising.org/onlinelearning.