A fourfold increase in the number of agents registering for dedicated cruise training has been recorded by the Association of Cruise Experts.
More than 6,300 agents signed up to ACE training last year, up from 1,475 in 2007 and an increase of 2,000 on 2008.
The Association has unveiled a new initiative called PACE, a pathway to success designed to support and guide agents through the recommended training modules to reach ACE expert, intermediary and ambassador levels.
Agent demand for cruise knowledge is reflected in the record levels of people taking a cruise holiday, with more than 1.65 million expected to cruise this year.
ACE director Flo Powell said: “We are continually expanding our training portfolio with new courses, new online resources and more offline training events and ships visits.
“PACE is designed to help agents, both new to cruise and those more experienced, find the best path that suits them to become an accredited ACE agent.
“Our Ambassador scheme recognises the achievements of the top tier of UK agents who go that extra mile in undertaking ACE training and I’m delighted to say that we now have 147 Ambassadors.
“The more we can assist all our members in furthering their knowledge and expertise in everything cruise, the greater the benefit to the cruise industry.”
by Phil Davies
