Tourico takes steps to improve cruise booking for agents

Orlando-based wholesaler Tourico Holidays said it has
enhanced the ability of agents to book cruises through its reservations system
and is making other changes to further its cruise business.

Tourico said new host-to-host XML connectivity between cruise
lines and retailers will provide better real-time price and inventory
information and reduce bookings that fail because of data updates. Tourico said
clients who are selling hotels through XML can now also find cruises on the
same point of reconciliation.

Separately, Tourico said it has added Viking Cruises to its
inventory and now works with 15 cruise lines and more than 10,000 itineraries.

To support the growth of its cruise business, Tourico named
Lori Sheller vice president of cruise development. Sheller was previously vice
president of sales and marketing at Online Vacation Center.