CroisiEurope: investing in the UK market
CroisiEurope is Europe’s largest river cruise operator, with over 50 ships in service offering more than 180 itineraries and sailing on over 30 waterways worldwide. With close to 50 years of experience, the family-run company is based in Strasbourg. With river cruise ships, canal barges, African lake cruises and two ocean ships, the company is passionate about providing unforgettable cruises aligned with a high level of service and award-winning cuisine.
At the beginning of March, CroisiEurope announced that it had invested in a new call centre which allows it to sell ATOL-protected flight-inclusive packages in the UK for the first time. The investment in this new call centre opens up a number of new opportunities for CroisiEurope, and will enable the company to target new audiences and effectively grow the business in the UK.
As further commitment to the UK market, CroisiEurope has increased its sales team with the recruitment of a business development manager for the Midlands, the north of England and Scotland. Janine Sykes, who will report into UK sales director John Fair, has been tasked with building and managing relationships with new and existing trade and industry partners, supporting the business in delivering strategy and core initiatives, identifying new opportunities and supporting the business at all levels with new lead generation.
John Fair, UK sales director for CroisiEurope, comments: “With strong sales and increased interest in our river, ocean, coastal and hotel barge products, now is the perfect time to invest in the UK and further reinforce our commitment to this very important market. We’re really excited to be working with Blue Water Holidays who will be managing our call centre. We’ve enjoyed a successful relationship with them for many years and I’m confident that they can help us with our expansion plans in the UK.”
CroisiEurope is also targeting growth in its hugely important coach and group travel business, which is headed up in the UK by Gabrielle Alam.
New for 2023 are ocean cruises from the Moroccan coast to the Mediterranean; coastal cruises from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean; a brand new hotel barge cruise from the Petite Seine to the Yonne; hiking cruises in the Canary Islands and Corsica; and a three-night Christmas Markets cruise from Strasbourg to Basel that takes in the festive traditions of Alsace and Switzerland.
CroisiEurope also has a number of special offers out in the market to celebrate 10 years of the Cyrano de Bergerac operating on the Gironde, as well as 30 years of operation on the Danube. On the Gironde, CroisiEurope is offering discounts of up to £330 per person on all 2023 departures plus all excursions, a choice of free deck upgrade or no single supplement on all April 2023 departures, and a choice of no single supplement or free cruise for children under 16 on all July and August 2023 departures. On the Danube, discounts of up to £385 per person are available plus no single supplement on select sailings.
For reservations and further information call 01756 691269 or visit croisieurope.co.uk