United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Cook: Costa tragedy will not have significant impact on cruise bookings
Thomas Cook said it doesn’t believe the Costa Concordia tragedy will have any significant impact on cruise bookings
Cook, which is the largest cruise retailer in the UK, admitted bookings had been "very slightly" affected by last Friday’s disaster, but said it was confident they would bounce back.
Chief executive mainstream UK Ian Ailles said: "It is a tragic incident. It is too early to say how this will affect bookings, but UK holidaymakers are pretty resilient so they will pause and reflect but they will take a long-term view.
"Cruising has had a long period of growth in the UK and it will recover and continue to grow."
Cruise bookings account for 12% of Thomas Cook’s overseas bookings, but the Costa brand is not well-known in the UK, which should help lessen the impact of Friday’s tragedy which has claimed at least 11 lives. A further 24 passengers are still missing.
Passengers already booked to travel on the Costa Concordia are being offered a 30% discount to switch to another Costa cruise. For those who wish to cancel cruises with other cruise lines, normal booking conditions apply.
By Linsey McNeill
Related News Stories:
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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