14 April 2008

Hurtigruten strengthens agency support

Hurtigruten has created two new sales roles as part of plans to expand business through the trade.

A new appointment has also been made by the cruise company responsible for reservations and groups.

A new on-the-road regional sales manager position has been has been created for the North of the UK with Simon McDermott, formerly national sales manager for Faremine, taking on the role.  

Previously there was just one RSM position for the whole of the country.  Responsibilities will now be split between two managers, one covering agencies in the South plus Scotland (held by Neil Barclay) and one in the North. Both report to Maxine Dunsdon, sales manager for UK and Ireland.

Daily responsibilities will include developing retail sales for all products by visiting travel agents around the UK to promote awareness, provide training, assisting agents with promotions and seeking out potential group bookings.

The operator will also have a dedicated agency sales executive, with Shakira Falzon Thomas taken on. She will provide the trade with day to day office contact and will be responsible for supporting agents on everything from brochure delivery and sales figures to marketing information and general product information. She previously worked in the reservations team at Hurtigruten.

Had of commercial Kathryn Beadle said: ââ¬ÅâœCreating a strong team to assist agents has been one of my first aims at Hurtigruten and we now have this in place.

ââ¬ÅâœThese new positions are essential to our plan going forward and I am pleased that we will now have more support both on the road and in the office that is dedicated to agents.ââ¬~

In addition, a new role of reservations and groups manager has been created (previously it was a supervisory role) which brings the responsibility for this area of the business to a management level. Sandra Urban has been appointed, joining from NCL.

Beadle said: ââ¬ÅâœThe groups market is another area that is developing significantly and we want to capitalise on this.

ââ¬ÅâœWe want agents to embrace the groups market and the RSMââ¬â¢s on the road will be tasked with helping agents drive group business. We now have a manager in place in the office to ensure that agentsââ¬â¢ needs are met when it comes to actually making the booking.ââ¬~

by Phil Davies

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