Royal Caribbean has said it is committed to working with travel agencies in Nigeria because they are crucial to its growth plans.
The company stated this when it honoured 10 of its key agents, tagging them as star agents in Nigeria.
The firm said that was its way of appreciating the agents, who had stood by it through thick and thin.
Royal Caribbean disclosed in a statement on Tuesday that it was setting a new standard in the travel industry, overcoming challenges, and exceeding expectations.
Reflecting on its journey, the company celebrated the agents, whom it called pioneers of cruise holidays at a ceremony in Lagos.
The awardees were Travelers Haven, Aviator Travels, Travelkulture Limited, Essence Travels, Lynnmax Travels, Gota Voyage, Goge Africa, Tour Brokers International, and Elrom Travels.
The Managing Director of Tour Brokers International, Uloma Egbuna, while recalling the challenges of introducing cruises to Nigeria in 2007, said “Despite initial resistance, they remained committed, and by 2016, the first Royal Caribbean office in Nigeria and Africa was established.”
Egbuna acknowledged the negative impact of COVID-19 on the firm’s progress, highlighting the resilience and commitment of its partners.
“We remained resilient and committed to the vision. Fast forward to 2016, we decided with Mr George Argyroupolus, the then-CEO of Cruises International, to set up the first Royal Caribbean branded office in Nigeria and Africa. We held events in Lagos and Abuja. Slowly but surely, the message was penetrating.
“From then onward, up until COVID-19, we witnessed year-on-year growth. Then COVID-19 happened. All the work it took us several years to do came crumbling like a pack of cards. December 2019 is a month we will never forget in the history of TBI Cruises,” Egbuna recounted.
Also, the Executive Director of TBI, Mrs Odion Chigbufue, expressed gratitude to partners.
She said, “We recognised 10 agents across Nigeria and West Africa, who came to Nigeria to receive their awards. What we have done is to identify our key agents who have consistently and intentionally promoted Royal Caribbean Cruise in Nigeria.
“They have been resilient; they have introduced it to their clients. We deem it fit to express our gratitude by tagging them as star agents in Nigeria.”
