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TravelMole’s Two-Minute Interview
The Mole: Compared to other sectors of the travel industry, the cruise sector appears to be holding up well to the economic downturn. Is that a fair assessment?
Joe Slattery, Holland America Line: The cruise industry is very resilient and more than ever the value it offers comes to the fore in times like these. It’s a great time to be taking a cruise because pricing is keen. We’re 100 percent full every week.
TM: Have booking trends changed?
JS: To some extent. People are booking closer to the cruise date. It’s not last minute, more mid-term booking.
TM: Holland America Line has boosted its foothold in the Australian market with more itineraries for the 2010 season, including a 34-day circumnavigation of Australia. You clearly believe the market is there for these products.
JS: We believe this product will sell very well with Americans and Canadians who are fascinated with Australia and want to take a more in-depth look at the continent.
This is the type of cruise that Holland America is so very good at – the 30-day plus voyages. They require a lot of legwork, a lot of planning but we have a lot of experience delivering these types of cruises successfully.
TM: Your have also announced two new 14-day roundtrip cruises from Sydney, taking in New Zealand and the South Pacific.
JS: Up to now most of our Australian departures had a New Zealand focus but these cruises will have a South Pacific focus with visits to New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Fiji.
These relatively exotic itineraries will have great appeal, we believe, to Australians and North Americans who are looking for something new.
Ian Jarrett
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