CRUISING TO AN EDUCATION

Transat Distribution Canada members set sail on the high seas for its fourth annual Cruise Academy. Over 100 delegates and 14 of their preferred cruise partners embarked on Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas at the beginning of May. The week long training event offered TDC members the choice of French or English classes, and two levels of education based on their past cruise product experience. Training included classroom, workshops as well as one to one coaching sessions. In addition, the group conducted team building initiatives on RCI’s private island, Coco Cay in the Bahamas and a site inspection on the Carnival Glory while in St. Thomas. The forum concluded with TDC management providing insights and training focused on key TDC differentiators culminating into actionable plans. Susan Bowman, vice-president marketing and industry relations for Transat Distribution, said: “The TDC cruise academy provides an unprecedented opportunity for our members to increase their knowledge, business planning know how and confidence to sell cruise product to consumers in any category; mass, premium, luxury and river cruises. Sales from our academy graduates are often double that of our other members in part due to the academy experience. Education is one of TDC’s top priorities and we are glad to have just completed our fourth cruise academy with over 100 in the graduating class.” Go to http://www.transat.com for more.