Yesterday was our last day onboard the MSC Splendida. The FAM group participated in a Thomas Cook seminar that outlined the latest updates from the company’s brands and products, including Sunquest, Holiday House, Fun Sun Vacations, Travelgenie, Intair, Network, Exotik Tours, Boomerang and Encore.
Jennifer Matthews, supervisor, inside sales and training, Thomas Cook, announced the new partnership between Sunquest and WestJet that will put an end to all of Thomas Cook's down south aircrafts this winter.
 |
| Jennifer Matthews, supervisor, inside sales and training, Thomas Cook |
|
Matthews also mentioned the hotel updates throughout the Caribbean. Ninety-five percent of the hotels are rated four-star or better; are hand picked by buyers; and are endorsed by management.
“We got rid of the problem properties,” she said. “People [were coming] back upset with the service… so we said, ‘You know what, let’s just get rid of them in our line-up.’ We’re really confident that [the products] we’re offering this year [agents will be able to] sell confidently and [travellers] will be happy.”
For Holiday House and Fun Sun Vacations websites, agents will now have the ability to search for properties by city centre, airport or points of interest. Also added was pricing for alternate days and the comparing functionality.
For Intair and Network, the company has added a new premium economy class; more U.S. border city options; a new summary tool and detailed flight information on its websites.
 |
| Massimo Lazzari, F&B manager, MSC Splendida |
|
Matthews finished off by outlining Exotik’s new website, the Training Academy, Encore’s magazine and the second annual Sea U conference taking place in 2013.
The FAM group also had the chance to tour of the ship’s galley and later moved to a gala dinner in the main dining room.
Today we are off to Rome for a city tour, a farewell dinner and a night at the Grand Hotel Beverly Hills. We depart for Toronto tomorrow morning.
Stay tuned for next week’s articles that will include full details of the FAM and an interview with MSC Splendida’s captain.
|
