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5.2m ‘cruise virgins’ indentified as potential market
More than five million potential ‘cruise virgins’ have been identified as a market for UK travel agents to go after.
The figure of 5.2 million so-called active potential cruisers was revealed by Carnival UK chief commercial officer Peter Shanks at the ABTA Travel Convention in Tenerife.
Moderating a cruise masterclass, Shanks said the UK cruise sector was set for 61% growth over five years from 1.35 million passengers this year to break through the two million barrier in 2012.
The market is currently worth £1.5 billion and will grow to £2.5 billion in five years, with commission available to agents almost doubling from £180 million to £300 million.
Despite annual average growth of 12% a year, less than three per cent of people who go on holidays take cruises, according to Shanks.
In addition to eight new ships this year, a further 45 are due to enter service by 2012 at a cost of between £250 million-£300 million per vessel, said Royal Caribbean International UK and Ireland managing director Jo Rzymowska.
She outlined a number of opportunities for agents to attract first-time cruisers, including special interest clubs, revealing that 250 Elvis lookalikes have booked on the inaugural sailing of the world’s largest cruise ship Independence of the Seas next year.
Fred Olsen sales and marketing director Nigel Lingard detailed cruise line support for agents and said the Association of Cruise Experts’ 2008 cruise convention in Southampton on May 19-21 would allow 500 agents to make visits to five ships.
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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