The Travel Village Group know that the best way to encourage sales and increase product knowledge is to experience something personally. In conjunction with Uniworld, we sent several top sellers, and new-to-river-cruising agents, on an Agents VIP Trip to Venice and the River Po. These were sellers from across the business, representing the Holiday Village, the Cruise Village & RiverCruising.co.uk, and of course our Travel Village store on Highfield Road in Blackpool!
The team flew from Manchester on 25th September to Venice, where VIP transfers were waiting to whisk them off to the SS La Venezia. During their time away they were to experience just a few of Uniworld’s astounding inclusions, that just aren’t available with any other cruise line. These included exclusive early morning access to the Doges Palace, evening access to St Marks Basilica, and a fabulous trip to a vineyard for wine-tasting.
When asked to share their Agents VIP trip highlights, and why trips like these are so important to development, they had this to say:
The Highlight of the trip for me was being able to visit St Marks Basilica after hours. Uniworld arranged for a private visit and we were the only people there – they even let us visit the Crypt which is usually out of bounds for the general public! Access like this can not be bought, it’s truly a unique experience.
Carolyn Markey – The Travel Village
Experiencing a luxury product like Uniworld was incredibly important to me. It will now enable me to make a personal recommendation to clients who are thinking of booking a river cruise. I can testify to the high standard of food and service on the ship.
Uniworld’s product in Venice is made all the more unique now the larger cruise ships are no longer allowed to operate in Venice’s Lagoon and the Grand Canal. This now makes the Uniworld product the go-to holiday option for people wanting to immerse themselves in the Venice area and its lagoons.
Jason Peters – The Cruise Village & RiverCruising.co.uk
Trips like these are so important; mainly because they allow us to have that immersion and 5* experience from a guest’s perspective.
For me, the trip’s highlights were the private events at the Basilica and the night-time cruise to the other end of the city.
When you factor in the cost of hotels, food etc. in Venice, the Uniworld product provides an alternative which works out better value for a weeks holiday in the region. You also see the outlying islands, which you would normally not see.
It was simply wonderful.
The highlight of my trip were the visits to the Doges Palace before it opened to the public and St Marks Basilica in the evening after it had closed to the public. It was amazing an experience to visit these historic sites without the hustle and bustle of the tourist crowds (plus no long queues to enter!). A genuine VIP experience.
Katharine Watson – The Holiday Village
It is so much easier to sell a holiday or destination when you have had first hand experience. I never realised how opulent a Uniworld River Cruise is, how much detail goes into their decor, keeping the destination in mind and sourcing materials/fabrics from the local area that the ship visits. This is information that I think really helps you sell a particular product.
Well, what can I say?! It was just amazing. Definitely a big tick off my bucket list for me… Singing just one Cornetto whilst sailing along in a Gondola… just wow! St Marks Square… what a place! I loved how vibrant this was. And, having our own private tour of St Marks Basilica was truly magical for me. Uniworld definitely add the finishing touches and make everything feel so personal. Venice has always been a place that I have wanted to visit, so I jumped at the chance to go. This was such an memorable trip for me.
Louise O’Rourke – The Holiday Village (Care Team)
Dawn [Quinn from Uniworld] was just such a fantastic host. We had some unforgettable laughs along the way! The whole Uniworld experience was absolutely out if this world. Amazing food, outstanding service… oh, and that Bed/Pillows! Simply to die for. I doubt I will never ever lie in another bed that has cost 15 thousand pounds ever again. Loved every minute of this trip.
