Explora Journeys, a luxury lifestyle brand of the MSC Group, has introduced  another group travel programme - ‘Journey Together Gatherings’ designed to expand travel opportunities for extended families or friendship groups.

Thanks to excellent collaboration with the travel advisor community, this builds on the Journey Together and Journey Together+ programmes, making planning and payment even more seamlessly convenient for ocean travellers, and offering benefits to travel advisors.

The benefits of Journey Together Gatherings
Explora Journeys suites have been designed as ‘Homes at Sea’ with spacious living areas. When booking a minimum of three/maximum of four suites, with one suite required to be an Ocean Penthouse or Ocean Residence groups can enjoy this space together as a social hub, to gather, relax and enjoy each other’s company in a private setting.

This is perfect for a gathering of friends or an extended multi-generational family. In addition, travellers with children will benefit from one under-18 in each suite sailing for free as well as complimentary transfers to the ship for all guests booked on the Journey Together Gathering programme. Travel advisors can benefit from Explora Journeys` rewarding commission payments.

Cindi Occhuizzo to lead Journey Together programmes, charter and incentive groups
The programme will be headed by newly appointed Charter and Journey Together Lead, Cindi Occhuizzo. After 30 years in the luxury travel industry including reputable brands such as Kuoni, Disney Cruise Line, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Cindi brings her global travel and hospitality industry experience to Explora Journeys.

Over the years, she has developed strong relationships with third party event planners, incentive houses and corporate meeting planners throughout the world, and accumulated vast knowledge of the industry. Cindi will be supported by newly appointed Journey Together and Charter Operations Expert, Vilma Moutsatsos, who brings more than 24 years’ experience to the role, with a deep background in managing luxury travel groups and other large-scale events.

Chris Austin, Chief Sales Officer, of Explora Journeys, said: “I am delighted to welcome Cindi and Vilma to our global charters and incentives team and I know they will be great assets for us in this important market. They will work closely with the MICE market as we roll out our Journey Together programmes to our luxury travellers. Designing our Journey Together Gatherings programme has been a highly collaborative process with the travel advisor community.  We are proud to launch this programme targeting gatherings of friends and multi-generational families.”

Bold commercial terms
Explora Journeys bold commercial terms are reflective of its collaborative approach with the travel advisor community. It has listened and responded, leveraging their many years of experience.  The ongoing terms include industry first rolling commission programme, generous levels up to 18% on Journeys and 10% on add-ons with commission being paid following receipt of deposits, no non-commissionable fares (NCFs) and commission paid on cancellation fees.

Journey Together
Designed for travel advisors to book small groups, extended and multi-generational families.  The new offering starts with five suites and a minimum of 10 guests.  Travel advisors can benefit from a complimentary host berth, rewarding commission payments and each suite reserved comes with a complimentary Journey Experience credit to use onboard.

Journey Together +
The programme starts with a 10 suite, 20 guest minimum and offers travel advisors a complimentary host suite, rewarding commissions and a value fare to significantly increase their profit potential.

Full ship charter, meetings and incentive group requests can also be submitted by travel advisors and shipping brokers and are negotiated independently of the Journey Together programmes.  Full ship charter quotes are based upon the length of the customised journey and time of year. – TradeArabia News Service