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Silversea insists Britons still have cash to splash
Luxury cruise operator Silversea Expeditions is continuing its charm offensive in the UK to try to win more bookings from travel agents.
Director Conrad Combrink, who has been visiting agents across the country this week, said the expeditions were selling well but there was plenty of room for growth.
The UK accounts for just 10% of bookings on Silversea’s Expedition cruises, operated by the Explorer, and Combrink said it could do better.
"Fifty per cent of Explorer’s bookings come from Australia, but three years ago Australia accounted for only 10%, so we believe there is a lot of potential over here," said Combrink.
Steve Odell, who opened Silversea’s office in Sydney in 2008, was appointed senior vice president of sales and marketing for the UK, Europe and Asia Pacific last June. Based in the London office since last July, Odell has said he is aiming for a 10% to 15% growth in UK business.
Silversea ‘s London office began taking reservations for the UK, Europe and the Middle East again last month. Since 2003 these had been handled in the US, but the company said there was such strong growth potential in European markets that it needed to be able to handle reservations within the same time zone.
Combrink said Silversea Expeditions had not experienced any downturn as a result of the recession – he believes clients at the top end of the market still have money to spend – or as a result of the Costa Concordia tragedy.
Combrink said there had been no cancellations as a result of the Concordia or even queries from passengers concerned about travelling. "Clients understand our product and how different we are from those large operations," he said.
However, in 2010 maritime authorities in the UK raised safety concerns about Silversea Explorer, which changed its name from Prince Albert II last year. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency in Portsmouth raised concerns about overloading and about senior officers onboard the ship not getting enough rest, and it was detained for four hours before being allowed to sail.
By Linsey McNeill
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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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