United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
UK cruise market will be worth £2.2bn next year
Independent agents at the Advantage Travel Conference were told how to get a bigger slice of the £2.2 billion expected to be spent on cruise holidays in 2009.
Giles Hawke, sales director for Complete Cruise Solutions, told Advantage members they were currently only booking around £2 million of cruises.
“That’s quite a small share of the total. It’s not too late to get involved with cruise if you’re not already doing it,†he said.
Hawke said the forecasted figure of £2.2 billion was based on projections that 1.5 million people in the UK will take a cruise next year, spending an average of £1,500 per person.
He said 90% of these cruises would be sold through agents, with commissions of 12%.
According to a Yougov survey earlier this year, cruises still only account for less than 3% of all overseas holidays.
“There is still massive growth potential,†he said. “In the survey, 9.5 million people in the UK indicated they would take a cruise in the next five years.â€
Jo Rzymowska, associate vice president and general manager UK and Ireland for Royal Caribbean said agents should consider holding afternoon teas and evening drinks receptions to entice customers.
“Clients love to feel special and events like these don’t have to cost a fortune. Even if you get one or two bookings out of it, it will cover the cost,†she said.
“Don’t be afraid to upsell, and remember with repeat customers you hold so much information. From their passport details, you know their birthdays, and if you booked their honeymoon you know when it’s their anniversary.â€
She said between them, the cruise companies have a sales force of around 200 people who were available to give advice, marketing support and information to agents.
By Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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
British Airways passengers endure 11-hour 'flight to nowhere'
CLIA: Anti-cruise demos could cause itinerary changes in Europe
Co-pilot faints, easyJet flight issues ‘red alert’
Gatwick braces for strike