The month of May brings with it a variety of holidays, from Mother’s Day to Memorial Day. However, there is another holiday that may not be as well-known to the general public but is highly celebrated within the travel industry: Travel Advisor Appreciation Day. This day serves as a reminder to stop and reflect on the hard work and sacrifices that travel advisors make to ensure that you have a memorable travel experience. With projections by Phocuswright indicating that travel advisors will account for 71% of cruise gross booking share by 2026, it is clear that their role is vital in supporting the success of cruise lines.
Travel Advisor Appreciation Day on May 1 marked the beginning of a series of perks and offers designed to recognize and incentivize travel advisors. Luxury cruise lines have rolled out various ways to reward travel advisors for their hard work. For example, one luxury cruise line is offering travel advisors the opportunity to earn more commissions, as well as a free cruise for themselves and shipboard credit for their clients. These perks, however, come with varying deadlines and requirements.
One short-term offer by a luxury cruise line allows travel advisors to earn a $100 gift card when booking guests on select European 2024 sailings by May 31. Additionally, advisors can earn a $400 bonus commission on any 2024 voyage after completing a RSSC University course. Another exciting opportunity for travel advisors is the chance to earn a free cruise on Regent through an extended Sell & Sail incentive that expires on June 30. To qualify, travel partners must book three suites on any of six Immersive Overnight itineraries between March 6 and June 30. Travel advisors who participate in the line’s Immersive Overnights webinar can also leverage $500 shipboard credit per suite for guests on a booking made through June 30.
For travel advisors looking to enhance their social media presence, Royal Caribbean Group is offering access to Rallio, a tool that provides ready-to-use social media content developed by Royal’s in-house trade media team. This tool allows advisors to customize, schedule, and share posts across major social media platforms. Advisors who register for Rallio in May have the opportunity to win up to $500 for their co-op marketing efforts.
In the spirit of competition and rewards, Scenic is offering the chance for the advisor who makes the most FIT bookings by June 30 to win two seats to Taylor Swift’s concert in Miami on Oct. 20. The winning advisor will also receive a three-night hotel stay, round-trip airfare for two, and a day with Scenic Group’s executive team at their headquarters. They will also enjoy a private tour with a gourmet lunch aboard the Scenic Eclipse I. Each booking for 2024 counts as two entries, while bookings for 2025 and beyond count as one entry each. In addition, Windstar is offering a $100 commission bonus for each cabin booked for a new-to-Windstar guest in the month of May. Windstar has also improved their commission payout structure by now paying out commissions 29 days before cruise departure instead of after departure.
In addition to the various contests and incentives, advisors have the opportunity to become Windstar Cruise Star Specialists, allowing them to earn back the cruise fare of their eligible fam trip in the form of a future commission payment. Completing the line’s Star Specialist online learning program in May earns advisors five entries into the contest, along with the chance to win one of four free cruises for themselves and a guest.
Travel Advisor Appreciation Day serves as a reminder of the important role that travel advisors play in the success of the travel industry. The various perks, offers, and incentives available to advisors underscore the industry’s recognition of their hard work and dedication. By leveraging these opportunities, travel advisors can continue to excel in their field and provide exceptional service to their clients.
Leave a Reply