Cartwright Travel, Cardiff
How do you go from almost closing your business to becoming one of the leading single cruise specialists in the country, in the space of a few years? For Steve Cartwright it comes down to a mix of having fun and looking after your local community.
He admits he came very close to throwing in the towel but a meeting with Steve “Steve 2” Philippou helped him to change his mind. The business moved premises to the building previously occupied by Gill’s Cruise Centre, which collapsed in 2011, taking Cartwright back to where he started off his travel career in 1978.
This is where Cartwright and Philippou set about creating new cruise brand to fill the gap left by Gill’s. Passion For Cruises launched in 2012 [check] and as well as targeting traditional cruise passengers, it is also going after the underserved singles market. The company has a database of 6,000 people, a growing app and six domain names, not to mention an advertising deal with local football team Cardiff City - all of which helps to funnel bookings back to the office in the suburb of Rhiwbina.
Despite these grand ambitions, Cartwright and co have their feet firmly on the ground and are just as focused on serving the needs of those around them. Collectively the team of seven have almost 150 years experience in the travel industry and nothing is too much for them. For one client, Cartwright eve even offered to pick him up and transfer him between Heathrow and Gatwick airports.
“The customers, over the years, have become friends,” says Cartwright and this closeness helps explain how the company has been able to forge tight links with the local community.
“A lot of people are looking for a sale and quick buck but we look at the bigger picture,” he says. Clearly this is paying off with the business up by 30% year-on-year in 2016.
Place of registration: England and Wales.
Company number 08723341.
Registered address: 6th Floor, 2 London Wall Place, London EC2Y 5AU
