A-ROSA River Cruises has partnered with Aviate to offer ATOL-protected packages to the trade. This move means that for the first time travel agents in the UK will be able to make bespoke package bookings through A-ROSA River Cruises, on the lines’ entire collection of European river cruises.
A-ROSA, who remain 100% dedicated to its trade only business strategy in the UK, has entered into this partnership as it looks to exponentially expand its reach in the UK market as part of its growth strategy.
This new partnership will see Aviate act as A-ROSA River Cruises’ trade reservations department in the UK, handling all stages of the booking process and bonded under Aviate’s ATOL license. A dedicated new reservations number has been set up, which agents will be able to call to make their customers’ A-ROSA package bookings.
Agents can book bespoke A-ROSA cruise packages for all types of customers, from couples and groups of friends to families and multi-generational group, that include flights, transfers and pre or post hotels as desired. In keeping with A-ROSA’s sustainability focus, rail options are expected to follow in due course.
Lucia Rowe, managing director at A-ROSA River Cruises comments “This is a big step forward for us and a milestone moment in our UK expansion plans. For several years, agents have been asking us to find a way for them book fully ATOL protected packages through us, for our entire river cruise portfolio. We have listened and I am delighted we now have a solution through Aviate, who are a trusted and well-respected name in the industry.”
The new partnership will complement the river cruise lines’ existing travel trade partner strategy. Until now, the river cruise line worked mainly with tour operator partners, offering group allocations on selected departures and itineraries that agents could book. Partners who wanted to dynamically package individual departures had to either book cruise-only or use their own ATOL.
Rowe added , “This is the obvious next step for us and it really is all about choice. Many agents have a preferred supplier they book our cruises through and this will continue to be an important channel for us. But for those agents who want the flexibility of being able to book packages through us across our entire portfolio of dates and itineraries, all with full ATOL protection, this is the perfect, easy to sell solution.”
Jayne Bond, chief operating officer at Aviate (part of the Travel Innovation Group) commented ‘’We’re delighted to power A-ROSA’s expansion to the UK trade. Our unique airline relationships, plus more recent successes in cruise packaging, position Aviate perfectly to offer competitive flight elements with A-ROSA’s European sailings. Echoing our dedication to innovative trade solutions and unrivalled service, A-ROSA’s ambition to change the river cruising landscape presented the ideal partnership for us.”
Looking ahead, A-ROSA will be focusing hard on working with agents to widen their appeal further over the coming months as it launches its new next-generation ship, A-ROSA SENA in May and embarks on a new upgrade project aimed at reimagining its Premium All-Inclusive offering across the entire fleet for 2023.
To book an A-ROSA ATOL Protected Package Agents Should Call 0151 350 1155
