Leading Cruise Agents targets new members

 

 

The Leading Cruise Agents of the UK aims to attract consortia, alliances and miniples with a new membership arrangement.

 

The move comes as the organisation aims to raise membership from 69 to 80 in 2010.

The new membership criteria, which was running on a trial basis for a year, has now been introduced for agent groups.

 

It enables the head office to become the main LCA member at the usual fee but any number of outlets or franchises may then join for a discounted membership fee per outlet.

 

Organisations that have signed up include Go Cruise, Global Cruising, Worldchoice Cruise Club and Elite Travel Group.

Three new associate members have joined the LCA - Compagnie du Ponant, European Waterways and Voyages to Antiquity.

 

The LCA hopes to attract a further two associate members to bring numbers up to 22.

An affiliate member option, introduced in the spring, has attracted seven companies, the latest being Cruise Destination Hardangerfjord.

 

This programme enables affiliates to actively promote their products and services to members. For 2010 the LCA is hoping to add at least three more.

Seven new agent members have signed up in recent months - stand alone member (Cruise Ahead in Chesterfield) and six under the new group scheme (World Travel Jersey, The Cruise Centre in Southbourne, Sussex and four Global Cruising franchises in Chester, Guildford, North Devon and Reading).

 

*Agents interested in joining the LCA should contact LCA Secretariat Matt Bates at lca.info@btinternet.com or call 01292 316820.