SkyTeam and Costa Cruises set sail for agents beach volleyball tournament
Global airline alliance SkyTeam knows a thing or two about the travel agent community. Agents are sociable, fun-loving and adventurous, yet even out of their usual office or home-based comfort zone, that competitive streak is always there. This is one reason why SkyTeam’s annual beach volleyball tournament for European travel agents has been such a hit for such a long time.
The Land of the Sand tournament was established by SkyTeam back in 2010. Since then travel agency teams from across Europe have locked horns each year seeking a place in the final to do battle for the coveted European Cup.
This year’s finals tournament celebrates its 10 year anniversary in Italy, and SkyTeam has shaken it up with a few notable surprises. Firstly, there is a new name: ‘Land on the C.’ This ingenious play on words hints at something very special in store for this year’s event. Participants and supporters can quite literally follow the ebb and flow of the competition as the tournament moves from terra firma to the open sea.
SkyTeam has joined up with Costa Cruises to host the finals aboard the Costa Diadema, a dream-class cruise ship and the largest vessel flying an Italian flag. Land on the C combines dynamic, competitive beach volleyball with a three-day-two-night cruise in the Mediterranean Sea.
Travel agents will get to enjoy a great cruise experience while gunning for glory as the first ever winners of the Land on the C trophy. The cruise and finals will take place from November 1, 2019.
"Travel agents are a valued component of SkyTeam, over the last 19 years their collective contribution to the alliance has been invaluable. Land on the C is a result of this ongoing collaboration, bringing together over 300 agents from six countries," says Ed Hollo, SkyTeam’s director of commercial.
Launched in 2014, Costa Diadema is designed for fun and relaxation with bountiful on-board activities, happening bars, fine cuisine, and a little spa pampering to keep the body in tip-top shape between matches.
"Our flagship Costa Diadema will offer travel agents the best of Italian hospitality that has distinguished our brand for over 70 years. It will be a cruise of sport, fun, happiness, and sharing, with extraordinary food & beverage, entertainment and relaxation experiences," said Mario Alovisi, vice president revenue management, itinerary & transportation at Costa Cruises.
It promises a unique environment for agents to mix business, pleasure, networking and competitive sport.
The SkyTeam alliance spans the globe with 19 member airlines across a coordinated network which operates 14,500 daily flights to 1,150+ destinations in 175+ countries.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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