Thanks to free cruises from Royal Caribbean Group, the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) grew by nearly 5,000 members over the last two months.
This unprecedented growth was led largely by Vicki Freed, senior vice president of sales, trade support and services at Royal Caribbean International (RCI), who offered a cruise giveaway for travel advisors who either joined or renewed their ASTA membership by the end of September.
“The value of a travel advisor couldn’t be more apparent than it is now,” Freed said in a press release. “It is our honor to show our gratitude for their service to the cruise industry and the travel industry. And what better way to do that then to show them the pathway to success, which starts by joining ASTA.”
ASTA’s current membership total is now over 17,000 advisors after 4,539 either joined or renewed. On Sept. 15 alone, 2,000 ASTA members were recorded.
Of the total, the majority (2,574 members) were entirely new to ASTA, and 1,965 were renewals.
“There are simply no words to describe the extraordinary impact that Vicki Freed, Richard Fain and the entire family of Royal Caribbean brands has had, and continues to have, on our industry,” said Zane Kerby, president and CEO of ASTA, in a press release.
Our staff accountant, Greg, who has been with us for 22 years, said he can’t remember anything like this.
“Throughout the month of September, our phones exploded, and they haven’t stopped ringing. Our staff accountant, Greg, who has been with us for 22 years, said he can’t remember anything like this. Nor can I.”
Also contributing to the latest push was Marc Casto, chairman of ASTA’s board of directors and president of leisure Americas at Flight Centre Travel Group. He joined one of Freed’s “coffee talks” to rally membership growth.
RCI parent company Royal Caribbean Group continues to promote membership in ASTA as the national trade association and global advocate for the travel agency community.
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American Society of Travel Advisors
Royal Caribbean Group
