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Gill Cruise staff offered lifeline by P&P Associates
P&P Associates has confirmed to TravelMole that it will use the assets of Gill's Cruise Centre to launch its own cruise operation, starting on July 25, using the trading name WeCruise.
Chief executive of P&P Phil Cook said his company had bought assets including the customer database, website and domain name of Gill's Cruises from the company's administrators Harrisons.
It is understood P&P will be offering jobs to many of Gill's employees, though the company said it was still negotiating with staff and it was unable to confirm today how many would be staying on.
Cook said: "We have some great new people coming on board with industry knowledge and expertise within the cruise sector. I believe that first rate staff coupled with P&P Associates’ cutting edge technological back-up and our organisation’s broader opportunities will ensure that WeCruise is a success."
He said WeCruise would move away from discount-led sales and focus instead on added value for major cruise lines.
"P&P Associates are finalising the future strategy of the WeCruise business model but plans are to combine website and online sales with a dedicated call centre, packaging fly/cruise holidays as well as selling cruise only."
P&P already has several travel brands including WeFly, WeHoliday, Travel4Sports, Chelsea Travel Management and Guildfare, using online technology created inhouse plus has a strategic partnership with Travel Solutions Group (TSG) to provide call centre and administration fulfilment.
It is a member of ABTA and Advantage, has ATOL and IATA licences and also runs Asda's Travel operation.
P&P said it will develop Gill's database "liaising with customers to regain loyalty" while sourcing new customers from within its travel group. It plans to combine online sales with a dedicated calls centre, packaging fly/cruise as well as selling cruise only.
It said none of Gill's previous owners have any association with P&P or the brand WeCruise.
By Linsey McNeill
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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