By
Rebecca Gibson |
River and small-ship cruise operator Tauck has launched a new sales team to serve the UK market.
Marking the first time Tauck has launched a sales team based outside of the US since it was established 90 years ago, the venture includes a new reservations centre in London, a UK-specific website and travel brochures priced in GBP.
“We currently bring travellers to more than 70 countries, so operationally we’re already a global company, and last year we actually hosted travellers from more than 80 different countries on our tours and cruises,” said Steve Spivak, Tauck’s vice president of global sales. “However, in order to provide the best possible service to UK-based travellers and travel agents, we knew we had to have more of a presence here. We’ve clearly made that commitment, and we’re looking forward to better serving our guests and travel agents in the UK market.”
Travel industry veteran Ray Steward has been appointed as the UK and Ireland country manager and will lead Tauck’s new three-person sales team. Steward, who has more than 30 years of experience in the travel industry, will manage Tauck’s overall sales and marketing efforts in the UK and will personally control the company’s accounts in south-east England.
Emma Taylor will serve as Tauck’s sales manager, overseeing accounts in Northern Ireland, Ireland, south-western England, and southern Wales, while the line’s other UK-based sales manager, Kathryn Coles, will manage accounts in central and northern England, as well as northern Wales and Scotland.
Between 1-5 November, 75 UK agents will attend a Tauck Academy seminar onboard the newly launched Savor, which will enable them to become Tauck-certified agents and qualify for special benefits and other exclusive opportunities provided by the company. Tauck Academy includes nine hours of intensive classroom training and an exam that covers the line’s history, its product line, and what differentiates Tauck from its competitors.