21 May 2008

ACE plans UKÃ¢â¬â¢s first Cruise Week

A range of new agent training schemes, including plans to hold a week-long cruise event this autumn, have been unveiled by the Association of Cruise Experts.

Cruise Week, planned for September 7-14, will take the form of activities, events and promotions.

Based on the success of the US Ã¢â¬ËœWorldÃ¢â¬â¢s Largest Cruise NightÃ¢â¬â¢, Cruise Week will be a opportunity for agents to join together in demonstrating the choice and diversity of todayÃ¢â¬â¢s cruise offerings to consumers, according to ACE.

The association, which has more than doubled its agent membership since the first UK Cruise Convention in May 2007, also revealed plans for a series of cruise expos around the country in the autumn. These will take the form of training events for 120 people including guest speakers, workshops and cruise trade fairs.

Student membership initiatives and further destination training courses have also been announced.

ACE business development director Andy Harmer said: "We were delighted to be able to launch Cruise Week to cruise agents from around the country at the 2008 UK Cruise Convention.

"ACE continues to monitor and improve its training schemes and we hope that these new initiatives, and Cruise Week in particular, will help to take the association a step further into the public domain."

by Phil Davies