p2 May29 27/5/09 21:25 Page 2
Cruise dilemma is
difficult for the lines news
and tough on agents
THERE IS nothing more likely to raise travel agents’
hackles than an operator undercutting them online.
And this no more true than in sectors where, to
date at least, the practice has not been common-
place – such as cruise.
Anyone who was at last year’s Ace UK Cruise Con-
vention in Southampton will recall how the biggest
issue sparking the fiercest debate was discounting.
this week
So, just two weeks before this year’s event,
market leader P&O Cruises’ decision to double its
online discount is sure to cause consternation.
But the truth is that with demand softening just
as capacity is hitting historic highs, cruise lines are
caught in a difficult position.
Do they hold their nerve, hoping the sales will
come in late and risk sailing with empty cabins, or
do they act now to stimulate demand?
If they drive ever-better offers through their big,
Mirren, Mirren on the wall
agent partners who are guaranteed to drive volumes, P&O Cruises’ Ventura was sent a first-birthday card from godmother Dame
they are accused of freezing out the small agents. Helen Mirren this week. The card was delivered to Ventura captain Keith Dowds
But if they look to be going direct, the entire and P&O Cruises head of brand marketing Philip Price. Cruise news p18
agency community that sustains them cries foul.
There is genuine concern within the cruise Abta election. the UK trade by explaining visa
industry that the driving down of prices is already ‘Fight our corner’ p4 rules and opening UK offices, Pow
undermining quality as lines are forced to cut costs. The new Abta chairman must Wow attendees in Miami heard
So it was good to hear SeaDream Yacht Club’s new lobby hard for the interests of the
president, Robert Lepisto, talking so passionately industry, insist tour operators Air.
last week about maintaining that company’s high BA ‘set to cut fares’ p14
standards come what may. But as a small two-ship Cruise. British Airways has been tipped to
operator, that may be a luxury it alone can afford. P&O discount fears p5 slash fares to stimulate demand
Agents have criticised P&O Cruises’ after unveiling a £401m loss, its
Brother, what good feedback 10% online direct discounting, worst-ever annual return
Professional interest means when anyone I know saying it will play into the hands
has used a travel agent, I quiz them on their of customers waiting for late deals Comment.
experience. The late-deals mentality p16
What a relief, then, to get glowing Travel Gives Back. Virgin Holidays’ Amanda Wills
feedback from my brother last week Caribbean green scheme p9 says comments she overheard in
who booked a two-week If Only Virgin Holidays and The Travel Sainsbury’s suggest the late-deals
package to Phuket with Goodacre & Foundation are striving to spur mentality is alive and well
Townsend in Ascot. Caribbean hoteliers and tourists
Though not the cheapest, all to save energy and water Online training.
the research the agent did, TTG Knowledge College p26
plus a few added extras In-depth. Our revamped online training
thrown in, made it as good Antigua special report p10 site features a record-breaking 76
value as anything online, A new Antigua tourism authority suppliers. Here’s your at-a-glance
he said. is working to revitalise the belea- guide to the courses on offer
He was also pleased guered destination’s image with a
to tell me the package first-ever UK TV ad campaign SECTORS.
came in £450 under Cruise p18
his budget! Pow Wow 2009. Operators p20
US plans promo body p12 Business travel p22
Lee Hayhurst News Editor A proposed new $10m US travel Air p24
promotional body would benefit Letters p28
02 29.05.2009
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72