How travel advisers are winning cruise business

Travel advisors are reinventing their role to keep pace with cruising's rapid transformation. From Muslim-themed cruises to AI-driven staff training and deeper customer insights, regional travel agents are evolving fast. These strategies and success stories took center stage at CruiseWorld Asia 2025, organised by Travel Weekly Asia.

Keeping the Fire Alive in Nascent Markets

In Asia's growing cruise markets, product knowledge remains the key to unlocking potential. Beyond surface-level familiarity, agents must nurture a sustained passion for cruising—keeping up with differentiated offerings to successfully inspire new travellers in emerging markets.

One such example is Vina Cuadra, Manager – Tours Operation Management at Rakso Air Travel & Tours, who pioneered her agency's cruise business in 2017. Nearly a decade later, she leads a dedicated cruise unit, attributing her success to a deep commitment to understanding the diverse cruise landscape and matching clients with the perfect experience.

Varun Chadha, CEO of TIRUN Travel Marketing, reinforced the same belief: knowledge and confidence in selling cruises come only through consistent, dedicated training. "Confidence in selling cruise products can only come with dedicated training and exposure," he emphasized, urging agencies to continuously invest in upskilling their teams to stay ahead in the evolving cruise industry.