For this year’s Crystal Trade Gala cruise for top producers, now under way now aboard Crystal Symphony, 74 partners from 14 countries qualified by posting at least $1 million in revenue during 2017. Many of these high-achieving producers are now sailing through the Caribbean, and hearing about Crystal’s plans for the future and new trade tools and programs from top brand executives.
Carmen Roig, senior vice president of sales and marketing, Crystal Cruises, reports that 13 of the top producers posted more than $2 million in revenue, and another five partners achieved more than $5 million in annual revenue.
“There is $163 million in revenue in this room,” she told the trade audience.
So, what’s the revenue threshold that travel partners must post for 2018 in order to be invited to the 2019 Crystal Trade Gala?
Roig says the company will hold the line this year, keeping the qualification level the same. In other words, trade partners who post most than $1 million in sales will earn the opportunity to attend the 2019 program.
Crystal News Updates
Here’s a summary of important tidbits we picked up from the trade gala this week:
Fares/Promotions: For 2020, Crystal’s fares will feature a different pricing presentation, similar to what it had in the past including two-for-one and book now fares. There are also some timing changes. Advisors will hear more about this as well as other pricing system/rules tweaks starting this week. As a part of this effort, starting July 1, 2018, Crystal Clear Choice will be renamed Book Now Savings.
Reservations: Crystal is adding more reservations resources, including two new reservations dispatchers, 10 reservations advisors, two group advisors, two Team Support Unit advisors (being hired in the next week or so), and a new process to empower the elite team advisors to do more tasks.
In addition, the line will do more training of staff to assist all advisors. Plus, the $1 million-plus producers will receive a special e-mail address—viewed and handled by managers—to get quicker resolutions to issues that require elevation to a higher authority.
Groups: Six months ago, the line opened its group department; while still in its infancy, much is happening. For example, the group services area now comprises a manager, four administrative employees and—starting next week—five phone advisors. Previously, all staff were handling both administrative and phone tasks, which didn’t prove workable, so now there will be dedicated phone employees for a more targeted focus.
Advisors also have been clamoring for a group analysis report for some time, and it’s currently in the testing stages: Expect to hear more within the next month about details. In addition, group contracts have been updated and no longer require a signature.
Value of Advisors: How happy are cruises who’ve sailed on Crystal with their travel advisor? Some 95.93 percent of all Crystal guests filling out surveys about their cruise experience rated their travel advisor as exceeding expectations.
This story originally appeared on www.travelagentcentral.com.
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