CLIA offers travel agents new benefits as part of membership overhaul

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia has unveiled a range of exciting new benefits for travel agents as part of a major overhaul of its membership program.
 

Launching on January 1, 2016, the revamped program marks a new era for the cruise organisation, integrating its membership and training for the first time, while also offering travel agents access to a wide range of benefits designed to enhance the value of their CLIA membership.
 

Under the program, CLIA member travel agents will be able to enjoy direct benefits from CLIA member cruise lines as well as everyday discounts from scores of major retailers across Australia and New Zealand, ranging from supermarkets and cinemas to hotels and restaurants and including big names such as Woolworths, Coles, Westfield, JB Hi-Fi and Target.
 

Agents will also be able to apply for a global cruise agent ID card which will enable them to access worldwide travel benefits, bringing them in line with CLIA agent members in the United States.
 

Announcing details of the new program, CLIA Commercial Manager Brett Jardine said access to core training modules and key electives would now be included in CLIA’s travel agent membership fee, making it far more accessible for agency staff to become cruise specialists.
 

“With CLIA training now available online and key modules included in the membership fee, it’s never been easier for agents to improve their cruise knowledge and make the most of our booming cruise market,” Mr Jardine said.
 

To coincide with the program changes, CLIA will be launching a new online membership portal in early 2016, making it simpler for travel agents to manage their CLIA profile and access training.
 

Mr Jardine said the new structure would deliver significant savings for agencies committed to training their staff to become cruise specialists, as well as many additional benefits.
 

“We’re very excited to offer our members this new program as it gives agents even more reasons to sell cruises,” he said.