Nigel Lingard, who recently retired from the position of sales and marketing director of marketing at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, has joined All Discovery Cruising, the trade facing arm of All Leisure Holidays, in a consultancy role as part of the company’s plans to strengthen its relationship with the trade, the company said in a statement.
LIngard, who is one of the best known personalities in the UK cruise industry, will help develop trade awareness and sales of Voyages of Discovery, Swan Hellenic and Hebridean Island Cruises, All Discovery Cruising’s three cruise brands. His appointment as Business Development Consultant comes as All Leisure embarks on a £35 million investment in its cruising operations during 2012. Initiatives under way include the £10 million refurbishment of Swan Hellenic’s flagship Minerva; the addition of a second ship, Voyager, to the Voyages of Discovery fleet; and a new river cruise vessel Royal Crown, for the Hebridean Island Cruises programme.
Geoff Lawrence, Sales & Marketing Director, explained: “Nigel is such a well-respected and experienced figure in the cruise industry that it is brilliant to have him on-board during these exciting times.” “All Discovery Cruising has some ambitious targets as we believe that travel agents will play a vital part in our success. We are looking for a very substantial increase in the business we get from our existing trade partners, and hope to get many more retailers working with us in the future. We are committed to stepping up our trade marketing, support and training and are certain Nigel’s expertise will prove invaluable as part of this.”
Refurbishment to Swan Hellenic’s Minerva, which includes the upgrading of cabins and public areas and the addition of balcony suites, is progressing well. The ship is scheduled to re-enter service in March 2012.
Lingard added: “All Discovery Cruising knows that agents have the potential to be its greatest ambassadors and for me that is very exciting. Working with the trade has always been a passion of mine and I am looking forward to using my knowledge to help take these three brands to the next level.”
