UK trade business ‘only getting stronger’ for Scenic, says line’s chief

The founder of Scenic Cruises has said the line’s trade business in the UK is “only getting stronger”, despite a recent restructure.

Speaking to Travel Weekly at the christening ceremony of Scenic Eclipse II in Malaga, Glen Moroney said agents are key to Scenic’s strategy and will continue to be.

“The trade is always integral to everything we do; we couldn’t do what we do without them,” he said. “Our trade business in the UK is performing really well and, in fact, only getting stronger.”

Moroney added Scenic was currently “engaging in a lot of trade marketing” with major firms, which he would not name, to “try and enhance those sales further”.

Moroney’s comments came after the line announced on May 30 that the company is moving the digital hubs for both Scenic and Emerald Cruises and the content creation hub for Emerald Cruises, which is currently based in Manchester, to the company’s head office in Sydney.

The restructure saw David Winterton step down from his position as brand and marketing director of Emerald Cruises after nine years in the role, which followed the departure of Richard Twynam in April.

Moroney said there were no plans to replace either position, adding that the decision to move digital operations from Manchester to Australia was made to ensure the brands “maintain their market leading positions in the UK travel industry”.

He added he was pleased with how Scenic Eclipse II’s debut programme was selling, with Antarctica performing particularly well.

“We’re not completely full but I don’t think any line is,” he said. “This inaugural Mediterranean season has been absolutely fantastic. There are gaps in places, as there always are, and we’ll look to fill them with the help of the trade.”

Andrea Stafford, who joined Scenic as trade sales director in March 2022, said there was generally a 50:50 split between direct sales and trade sales across all Scenic ships.

She added there were currently no plans to grow the UK sales team further, but that could change depending on performance.

“Any form of expansion depends on how we do over the next few years,” she said. “If you achieve more and bring in more business then you can look to expand, so I’d like to think it can be done.”