The month of May brings various holidays like Mother’s Day and Memorial Day, but one lesser-known holiday, Travel Advisor Appreciation Day, also holds significance within the travel industry. Travel advisors play a crucial role in supporting the success of cruise lines, with projections indicating they will make up a significant portion of cruise gross booking share by 2026.
Travel Advisor Appreciation Day on May 1 marked the start of a series of perks and offers aimed at recognizing and incentivizing travel advisors. Luxury cruise lines are offering various ways for advisors to earn more commissions, including opportunities for free cruises and shipboard credits for their clients.
One luxury cruise line is providing travel advisors with the chance to earn a $100 gift card for booking guests on select European 2024 sailings by May 31. Additionally, advisors can receive a $400 bonus commission on any 2024 voyage after completing a RSSC University course. There is also an extended Sell & Sail incentive that allows travel partners to earn a free cruise on Regent by booking three suites on specific itineraries by June 30.
Royal Caribbean Group is offering advisors access to Rallio, a tool that provides ready-to-use social media content developed by the company’s trade media team. Advisors can customize, schedule, and share posts across major social media platforms to enhance their digital presence. Furthermore, advisors have the opportunity to win up to $500 for their co-op marketing efforts when they register for Rallio in May.
Scenic is offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the advisor who makes the most FIT bookings by June 30 – two seats to Taylor Swift’s concert in Miami on October 20. The winning advisor will also receive a three-night hotel stay, round trip airfare for two, a day with Scenic Group’s executive team, and a private tour aboard the Scenic Eclipse I. Each booking for 2024 counts as two entries, providing ample chances to win incredible rewards.
Windstar is providing a $100 commission bonus for each cabin booked for a new-to-Windstar guest in May. The cruise line has also adjusted its commission payout timeline to 29 days before the cruise departure instead of after departure. Advisors who become Windstar Cruise Star Specialists can even earn back the cruise fare of their eligible fam trip in the form of a future commission payment, adding further incentives for professional growth and development.
Recognizing and appreciating travel advisors is essential for fostering strong partnerships and ensuring mutual success in the industry. Through a combination of incentives, rewards, and opportunities for growth, cruise lines and travel companies can effectively show their support and appreciation for the hard work and dedication of travel advisors. By continuing to invest in these valuable relationships, the travel industry can thrive and flourish, benefiting both advisors and clients alike.