Uniworld CEO Ellen Bettridge shares her top tips for agents – Travel Weekly

Final week’s Cruise360 conference had some incredible takeaways, however our favorite by far was from Uniworld CEO Ellen Bettridge.

Following the closely attended State of the Nation panel, Bettridge took to the stage with a robust message: journey brokers are extra necessary now than ever.

She started by highlighting analysis from the US which indicated that 60 per cent of a gaggle surveyed who had by no means booked with a journey agent earlier than the pandemic now say they’ll use one, with the quantity rising to 80 per cent in the case of reserving worldwide journey.

“They realized that when one thing occurs that they should have someone on the opposite finish of the telephone who they’ll go to and who’s going to be there to assist them, and that’s what you do,” she stated.

“The usage of journey brokers is having a resurgence.

“However you’ve received to be seen, you’ve received to truly take some dangers and get on the market. And being who you might be, you might have superb information; you’ve received to get on the market and share it.”

Why is Bettridge so gung-ho in the case of journey brokers? She was once one.

“And so it’s very close to and pricey to my coronary heart. So I really feel very snug supplying you with my ideas,” she stated.

Listed below are her high 4 ideas for journey agent success:

1. Ask your clients what they need out of their trip.

“It’s essential just remember to are asking your buyer crucial query: What would you like out of your trip?” she stated.

“Be sure you’re placing them on the correct expertise. When you do, they’re gonna come again to you.

“When you don’t, they’re not they’re coming to you for recommendation, not simply to be a transaction.”

2. Discover out who else they’ve sailed with

“Ask your clients: Who did you sail with final? Did you just like the expertise? Was that all-inclusive? Is that necessary to you?” Bettridge continued.

“These are the questions you need to be sure you’re asking to be sure you are getting them to the correct expertise.”

3. Promoting cruises needs to be a vital a part of your enterprise mannequin 

“Promoting cruises must be a part of your mannequin. Look, we’re all on this to earn a living, proper?” she stated.

“You’ve misplaced the fee’s that you simply have been getting from airways the place as with cruise, you’re promoting one bundle. One factor, it’s straightforward, finished, you simply verify in along with your visitors, you give them their paperwork, they go on trip, you’re not following up with each little resort and the whole lot alongside the way in which to ensure it’s finished.

“You simply must get them off the airplane and get into the cruise. And also you’re gonna make some unimaginable commissions.”

4. ASK FOR A REFERRAL! 

Bettridge’s final piece of recommendation, although, was her greatest;

“Keep in mind, you present a tremendous service, and you could ask for a referral,” she concluded.

“Persons are gonna be searching for a journey advisor as a result of their advisor has retired or determined to get out of enterprise. When you’re right here, you could ask for that referral.

“Ask when you’re in the midst of the transaction when you’ve received them enthusiastic about what they’re doing. That’s while you ask for the referral.

“After which thank them for the referral. , you may give them a sentimental handwritten word or ship them some flowers as a result of it’s these little issues like that can make all of the distinction on the planet.”