Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia is preparing to welcome 50 new Cruise Masters to its ranks after an intensive training conference aboard Ruby Princess last week.
The 50 travel agents from across Australia and New Zealand took part in three days of seminar sessions as part of the 22nd annual Masters Conference, held during a week-long Princess Cruises itinerary from Sydney to Tasmania.
The Masters Conference participants aboard Ruby Princess last week, with CLIA Head of International Training & Development Peter Kollar (front row, centre).
The cruise is the first step in a process that will advance participants from Ambassador to Cruise Master status, the highest level in CLIA’s membership of accredited travel agents.
CLIA Head of International Training & Development Peter Kollar said the conference had allowed the agents to further develop their sales and marketing skills while also experiencing a CLIA cruise line member vessel first-hand.
“The Masters Conference gives agents the practical insight and motivation they need to advance their careers and stay at the top of their game,” Mr Kollar said. “It teaches them how to position themselves and their businesses so that they’re distinct from their rivals.”
The conference was overseen by US-based sales guru and motivator Scott Koepf, involving topics from hands-on sales skills to understanding marketing and mastering customer service. It also included a guest presentation from Home Travel Company’s Robyn Sinfield who took part in CLIA’s first Masters Conference in 1998.
Participants will now complete a work-based assignment which will allow them to receive 100 accreditation points and enter CLIA’s prestigious Cruise Master ranks. As well as holding CLIA’s highest accreditation status, Cruise Masters receive a range of perks that include a higher search ranking on the CLIA website.
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