Vacation.com Concierge Hosted Cruises Grows

Vacation.com reports rapid growth in the number of member agents participating as concierge hosts in the company’s Vacation Vignettes cruise program. Vacation Vignettes’ 2010 schedule features 160 departures on preferred cruise suppliers to destinations worldwide. Through the first six months of 2010, the number of passengers on these hosted sailings has grown 54 percent from 2009’s total.

Vacation Vignettes are packaged escorted sailings offered only through Vacation.com member agencies. Each voyage includes the services of a concierge host, a private cocktail reception and an exclusive shore event on itineraries from Holland America Line, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Crystal Cruises.

In the last year, the number of member agents applying to host a Vacation Vignettes departure has more than doubled to more than 200. To support the growing number of hosts, Vacation.com has increased the number of its Vacation Vignettes-related virtual classes. Topics include how to market the sailings more effectively, how to incorporate social media into their marketing plans and how to display their hosting experiences on their agency websites. In addition, a monthly webinar is held for all concierge hosts to share marketing, sales and customer service best practices.

In addition to these escorted offerings, Vacation.com offers hundreds of non-escorted, amenity-enhanced, group space sailings, as well as its Pre & Post Cruise Solutions program— which complements cruise bookings with private transfers, hotel stays and sightseeing tours at more than 60 of the world’s sea ports.

Vacation.com members can log into AgentNet to download the Vacation Vignettes marketing materials and to view the schedule of upcoming training events. All other agents should visit www.JoinVacation.com to learn more about the benefits Vacation.com offers and to try the Benefits Calculator to discover the financial value of membership.