Speaking to TTG, UK managing director of parent company World Travel Holdings (WTH), Alison Earnshaw, said the organisation is working on a "range of exciting plans and projects" to be implemented in 2023 and 2024. 

"We’ve been strengthening our team with a number of new specialist roles to support our ambitious growth plans and will continue to build on that alongside forming strategic partnerships with specialist agencies to supplement our in-house skill sets," she continued.

The additional partnerships and staffing coincides with the brand’s ongoing investment in technology, where it hopes to partner with "best-in-class" technology providers to enable it to deliver enhanced customer service.

"Our goal is to grow all three of our customer facing brands profitability and sustainably, whilst investing in, rewarding and developing our people," Earnshaw explained.

The expansion plans come after Cruise118 began a year of celebrations last month to mark 15 years since the Chorley-based business was launched by James Cole and Mal Barritt in 2008.

Earnshaw, who became managing director in 2018, teased an "exciting schedule" of themed activities, incentives and promotions lined up to engage both the company’s customers and employees.

"I feel a huge amount of pride in the business, our people and what they have collectively achieved over the years," she continued. "Some of the team joined us in our first year and are also celebrating their 15th anniversary, as well as an even greater number of employees who have more than 10 years’ service." 

Earnshaw praised the "growth, development and strength" of the company’s staff, describing them as being "absolutely at the heart of everything we do, and the best part of the job".

She also highlighted the company’s handling of the Covid pandemic, and how the brand "coming out of that existential crisis stronger than ever" was her "most proud and humbling" period with the business.

"The grit and determination we all had to demonstrate to ensure we serviced our customers in the best possible way, retaining our high customers satisfaction scores in the most difficult of times, was something I’ll never forget," Earnshaw added.