New and updated resources, seminars and master-classes remain at the forefront of Cruise Lines International Association’s plans for 2017.

Ensuring agents professional development supported by unique resources is essential for the growth of the industry and this year CLIA has introduced a number of new facilities to continue to support and educate agents.

In February CLIA launched three new online Courses – Cruising the Pacific Islands; Expanding your Cruise Market; and European River Cruising.

This month three cruise line members – Windstar Cruises, Amadeus River Cruises and APT - will add new modules to the CLIA site too for agents to keep updated on product development.

The CLIA Learning Academy courses offer agents cruise line, destination and sales modules, and working through courses can lead to Accreditation recognised by the City & Guilds. 

New opportunities include live and recorded webinars with up-to-date information from cruise line members and access to the new destination series modules, which showcases the range of new to cruise destinations worldwide.

In terms of unique resources, most recently, CLIA added a new interactive selling tool to its Agent Toolbox in partnership with Full Picture.

The new resource allows agents to send photos, videos and other assets to customers in real-time, enhancing the customer experience to generate greater bookings.

Later in the year, CLIA will host the Cruise360 event which will be held in Europe for the first time.

The immersive event gives practical advice to agents and offers the opportunity to visit multiple ships over the course of three days.

The event will also host the ‘Cruise360 Masterclass’ with a choice of seminars covering subjects such as selling destinations, sales techniques and specific sector updates.

Andy Harmer, CLIA senior vice president, membership, commented: “CLIA continues to put professional development at the heart of 2017 plans.

“By introducing new learning resources online and hosting inspiring events, CLIA provides the information and knowledge to support agents and the travel agent community.”