Seabourn’s new President Natalya Leahy says there’s ‘incredible potential’ in the UK market for agents to grow their cruise sales.
Speaking on the luxury line’s trade sailing from Tilbury to Greenwich on Seabourn Venture (pictured) on Thursday, Natalya said the UK was the line’s largest market outside the US.
Seabourn is hosting 200 UK agents at trade events on the 264-passenger ship this month.
There are ship visits planned in Dublin on 16 May and in Leith on 24 May.
It is the first time UK agents have seen the line’s first purpose-built expedition ship since it launched in July last year.
Natalya, who took over from former President Josh Leibowitz two months ago, said: “This is an important event for us. The UK is our largest market outside of the US and 15% of our guests come from the UK.
“It’s important to bring agents on board these ships. They must see it to be able to explain it to their customers.
“There is incredible growth potential here. The UK is one of our fastest growing markets. We’re really pleased with the travel partners.”
She added that maintaining good trade relationships was ‘a big strategic priority’ going forward.
“We truly believe that luxury travel agents are an extension of the leadership team,” Natalya said.
Before Josh left to ‘pursue new opportunities’, Seabourn announced Vice President of Global Commercial Operations, Guest Services, Head of UK and Europe Tony Roberts was joining Warner Leisure Hotels after 23 years in the cruise sector.
Lynn Narraway, Vice President, UK, Europe and EMEA, said the recent changes made by Natalya since her promotion had made the line ‘better’.
She added: “Natalya’s new structure means we’ve got new team members in revenue management and strategic planning.”
Lynn said the UK trade had ‘delivered and supported’ Seabourn throughout the pandemic. It is offering 5% bonus commission on selected cruises until the end of May.
“2019 was our best ever year in the UK. In 2020, we were hitting all our targets until COVID hit, so this is our first full year,” she said.
