The Small Ship Collective launches

THE Small Ship Collective (TSSC), an “industry-first for small ship cruising”, has been launched by Cruise Traveller (CT).

A new marketing and technology platform, the Small Ship Collective (CLICK HERE) has been launched to help advisors benefit from the rise in demand for the sector.

The low-cost marketing & technology platform is the biggest initiative in Cruise Traveller’s 18-year history, and is timed to help agents benefit from rising, post-pandemic interest in smaller vessels, Managing Director, Craig Bowen told Cruise Weekly.

He said TSSC is not designed as a direct booking engine, but as a custom web solution to offer advisors a suite of tools to quickly help them become an expert.

TSSC offers agents a personalised website, branded with their own logo, with cruise content able to be tailored to feature the lines and destinations they choose.

It can also include auto pricefeeds direct from large ship lines, to ensure a complete platform.

Including extensive support and training from Cruise Traveller, TSSC offers a complete toolkit for agents to sell small ship product to their clients, including backend banners for marketing.

Advisors who are a part of TSSC will also enjoy preferred commissions on CT-provided products, specialist training for their teams, familiarisation opportunities, preferred cancellation & amendment conditions and a priority, toll-free reservations number.

Priced at a one-off administration cost of $250 and monthly fees of $180, Bowen said rebates on offer could potentially reduce these fees to zero, based on easily achievable targets.

“People who do small ship travel tend to be experienced travellers and their repeat and referral business that comes from it is way higher than the average sale,” Bowen explained to CW.

“Once you get a small ship guest in your client base, you’re likely to get them two or three times a year, and they’re very likely to travel with like-minded friends.

“All of a sudden you don’t get one $10,000 or $20,000 booking, you get a couple.”

He noted Cruise Traveller had seen a pick-up in enquiries the last few months, with particular growth in those who have never been cruising before.

“COVID has amplified the whole concept,” Bowen said, adding CT has sold nearly $4 million worth of Tradewind Voyages’ Golden Horizon product (CW 22 Oct).