TUI UK & I has created a new team to enhance training and support for UK travel agents and “drive sales and increase awareness of the Marella Cruises and TUI River Cruises’ product offering”, a statement said.

Steven Heath has been appointed as senior cruise commercial support manager and will help to deliver the commercial aspirations of Marella and TUI River Cruises, as well as building relationships and providing strategic direction to trade partners.

Supporting Heath will be two cruise commercial managers, Jessica Garner and Lynsey Roberts, while Sarah Whitehouse has been appointed as training delivery manager.

Whitehouse worked as a store manager within the retail arm of the business and more recently as a training consultant. The new team will report to national account manager commercial relations Andrew Isherwood.

TUI has ‘ambitious plans’

TUI UK & I MD of cruise Chris Hackney said: “We’re excited to be growing the team at this pivotal time for the cruise industry. Since the restart of cruise last year, we’ve been working hard to reassure customers and get them back to cruising.

“We have ambitious plans for Marella and TUI River Cruises and having a dedicated team in place to support agents will play an important role in the businesses’ future.

“With the launch of Marella Voyager and our new US itineraries on Marella Discovery in 2023, we are seeing trends of customers booking earlier than before.”