United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Agent cruise opportunities in North America
The majority of the world’s cruise passengers are originating in North America, which represents a huge new market for agents, says Roger E. Block.
But Mr Block, who is executive vice president for Carlson Travel Franchise Group, said growth is not so much in new ships as it is new berths.
“We went from 120 ships in 1992 to 147 in 2004, which is only an increase of 27 ships,” he said, attributing that to a lot of retired old ships.
What has grown is cruise berths — from 90,000 in 1992 to more than 216,000 today.
With all the growth in the industry, however, he noted that less than 10% of the population has taken cruises.
He said Carlson’s commitment to Cruise Holidays stores is to have 15% market share booked via one of Carlson’s travel agency brands.
Mr Block made his remarks at Cruise Holidays’ annual convention aboard Holland America Line’s m/s Amsterdam.
Cruise Holidays is North America’s largest cruise-specialty travel agency network.
Report by David Wilkening
David
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Storm Lilian travel chaos as bank holiday flights cancelled