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InterGlobe works towards launching 'cruise specialists'

Anupama Sushil - New Delhi

Shalini Lambah Associate Vice President, Travel & Leisure Services Interglobe Air Transport

Cruising, which was once restricted to the luxury segment, is now seeing an increase in demand among new travellers. This change, feels Shalini Lambah, associate vice president, travel & leisure services for Interglobe Air Transport, can be met by InterGlobe, which is venturing into the south Indian market that has huge potential for the cruise holiday segment.

"All the six brands under the cruise section will be handled separately," she adds. The company also plans to venture into the tier II and tier III cities that yield business of around 40-50 per cent. "Realising this, and in order to sell these holidays better it is important that the agent is categorically educated about the product so as to sell cruise holidays more effectively," she clarifies. Interglobe is therefore looking at creating cruise specialists. This would involve a training period spread over 12 months where participants would be taught all about the reservation system and how they can promote cruise holidays better. This is definitely one of the most profitable options as cruise travel still offers commissions of eight to ten per cent. This will also incentivise agents to promote cruise travel. Cities like Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Chennai will be the first targets followed by other cities. While the south Indian market has started to respond well, Interglobe is also looking at retail tie-ups in other cities.