United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Cruise industry must shed outdated image, debate hears
Question Time special report: The cruise industry needs to shed its outdated image and improve its communication to agents and customers if it is to realise its full potential, TravelMole’s travel industry question time has heard.
Speaking at a debate on the future of cruising, Royal Caribbean UK and Ireland managing director Robin Shaw said while growth has been strong, more can be achieved.
He said shedding the industry of deep-rooted stereotypes was key.
“We’ve had 18 years of unbroken growth and yet cruising still only represents 2.5% of foreign holidays sold,” he said. “Whether we like it or not, people don’t consider a cruising holiday because the perception is different from reality.
“We all have a job to communicate the cruising is not just for old people, that it’s not too expensive and that there is loads to do on a cruise.”
He said 80% of first time cruisers indicate they would like to go again.
Passenger Shipping Association director Bill Gibbons predicted one in ten package customers could soon be going on a cruise.
“The Federation of Tour Operators has said the package market will decline 4% to 5% this year and a further 3% to 4% next year,” he said. “By 2008 cruising could be moving towards 10% of the package market.”
Report by Steve Jones
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
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Woman dies after going overboard in English Channel