RCL lends a hand to travel advisors

ROYAL Caribbean Group (RCL) has confirmed that Australian travel advisors will be included in a new US$40 million (A$51 million) support program announced just before Christmas.

The Pay It Forward program will be the second phase of Royal Caribbean’s RCL CARES, supporting travel advisors as they look to rebuild their businesses.

Pay It Forward makes a US$40 million pool of funds available to qualifying travel advisors, initially in North America, although a proportion of the funds will be attributed to international markets, including Australia, with Royal Caribbean to share more information later in the month.

The North American rollout will see advisors able to apply for three-year, interest-free loans of up to US$250,000.

As with RCL CARES, the program will launch in North America first, and then be adapted for international markets to best suit their various needs and legalities.

“We know our travel advisor friends are suffering too, and we will get through this tough period together, just as we always have,” said Royal Caribbean Group Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Richard Fain.

“Our travel partners have stood strong beside us for more than 50 years, and we are determined to be there for them now.

“We’re going to get to the other side of this challenging time.”

RCL also recently appointed former Marriott International President & MD Amy McPherson (pictured) to its board.