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Cruise searches rocket, but where do most people want to go?
The number of online searches for cruise holidays in August rose a staggering 66% on May levels, according to independent digital marketing agency, Greenlight.
Its latest report covering the sector also found queries for cruise excursions on the River Thames saw the biggest increase, up 71% on May, while searches for Nile cruises were also up, by 42%.
Greenlight’s second Cruise Sector Report revealed that UK consumers made a totalof 2.5 million searches on Google UK for cruises in August, compared to 1.5 million in May.
Cruises to specific destinations made up 12% (289,890) of overall queries.
The highest number of destination-related cruise queries were for the Caribbean (7%), followed by the Mediterranean (6%). In third place was the Nile, despite Egypt’s ongoing political upheaval and advice from the Foreign Office for tourists to stay away from much of the country, except the Red Sea resorts.
Independent cruise agent, Iglucruise.com, was the most visible site for destination-specific queries, attaining a 45% share of visibility in the organic (not paid for) listings, through ranking for 419 keywords. Thomascook.com, took second place with 44%.
Vivavoyage.co.uk was the most visible advertiser in the paid listings, achieving a 51% share of voice. Virginholidayscruises.co.uk followed with 37%.
For cruise-related searches overall, Iglucruise.com was also the most visible site in natural search, capturing a 62% share of visibility. In the paid listings, cruisecritic.co.uk dominated with 50%.
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
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