United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Cruise industry rebounding much better than other tourist sectors
After the worst-ever downturn for the industry in 2009, cruise bookings are going up, says the LA Times.
“Cruise lines are starting to raise prices from the deep-recession bargain basement. And a few companies are even feeling bullish enough to start ordering new ships after a dry spell of nearly two years,” the report says.
As the cruise industry gathers in Miami Beach for the industry’s largest annual gathering, executives are far more upbeat than they were just a few months ago.
By all accounts, the cruise lines are basking in a robust "wave season," the industry term for the first couple months of the new year, when the largest chunk of cruises are booked.
"The cruise industry has rebounded much better than the hotels or land tours," said Stewart Chiron, a cruise expert and CEO of cruiseguy.com.
Cruise Planners, a travel agency in Coral Springs, Fla., has chalked up 30 percent to 40 percent gains in bookings each month since October, compared with one year-earlier numbers.
"We’re seeing a huge upward shift," CEO Michelle Fee said. "Obviously, last year in the same time frame, everything fell off a cliff."
The cruise lines still face a long journey to get back to the prices of early 2008, before the financial crisis turned many people’s vacations into loading up the car and driving to stay with relatives.
In 2009, a cruise berth fetched 14 percent less per day than the year before at the two biggest cruise operators. This year, that "yield" is expected to turn positive by several percentage points from 2009 levels.
By David Wilkening
David
Tony from Gatto’s Pizza on Columbus’s Unique Pizza Trail
Sophia Hyder Hock on Global Social Inclusion in Tourism
Sustainable Tourism: Don Welsh on Community Values and Global Collaboration
Jane Cunningham: Enhancing European Engagement in Tourism
Kristin Dunne: Navigating Destination Strategy
Revolutionizing Mobile Connectivity: Boris Bijlstra on HUBBY eSIM
Capturing Glasgow’s Vibrancy: An Interview with Susan Deighan, Chief Executive of Glasgow Life
Lebua Hotel & Resorts: Rajan Khurana on Hospitality and Bangkok’s Charms
Sustainable Tourism and Growth: Insights from Chiravadee Khunsub from Tourism Authority of Thailand
Revolutionizing Travel: SmartSIM USA’s Dale Takio Unveils the Power of E Sims
TravelMole Interview with Hishan Singhawansa, Deputy CEO of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Sri Lanka
Unveiling the Essence of Magari Tours: A Dive into Authentic Italian Experiences
EU airports bring back 100ml liquid rule
CLIA: Anti-cruise demos could cause itinerary changes in Europe
Co-pilot faints, easyJet flight issues ‘red alert’
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Woman dies after getting ‘entangled’ in baggage carousel