p10-11 news June12 10/6/09 19:08 Page 10
news conference preview
ttglive.com
Ace Cruise Convention 2009
June 17-19 ■ Dover
More than 500 agents will converge on the
KEYNOTE SPEAKER.
Port of Dover next week for the third UK Cruise
‘Time to promote value’
Convention. Lee Hayhurst previews the event
THE RECESSION has prompted cruise operators
to put greater emphasis on the value for money
Cruising ‘is going green’
cruise represents and to offer more savings.
Rick Meadows, executive vice-president of
marketing, sales and guest programmes at
Holland America Line, said the downturn had
prompted a focus on value.
A RAFT of technological innovations, from “go Solstice-class ships have been fitted with spe- Meadows will share the stage at next week’s
faster” hull paint to chilled rocks in the buffet, cially glazed glass to achieve the same result. convention with Celebrity Cruises president Dan
are helping modern cruise ships limit their The drive for efficiency, something that has Hanrahan, as joint keynote speaker talking about
impact on the environment, according to one of become even more important for lines faced change and innovation in the industry.
the convention’s keynote speakers. with rising fuel costs, has also seen hulls painted He said the recession had not changed the way
Speaking to TTG ahead of next week’s event with a silicon coating. HAL markets its brand.
in Dover, Celebrity Cruises president Dan This “go faster” paint, used extensively in the “The opportunity we are seeing right now, due
Hanrahan said lines were always looking at ways cruise industry, helps ships glide through the to the economy, is that cruising is by far the best
to improve their green credentials. water more efficiently and prevents marine vacation value in the marketplace.”
“At Celebrity Cruises, we are constantly growth which can slow them down. Meadows added that the increasingly
exploring innovative ways to increase our energy Hanrahan added: “We even replaced the ice international nature of cruising was prompting
efficiency and minimise fuel consumption, all in cubes in our buffet areas with chilled river rocks, HAL and other lines to adapt their products.
the interest of reducing costs and decreasing our which significantly conserves water usage and “We have a focused strategy in several key
carbon footprint,” he said. energy consumed in producing the ice, and global markets, namely the UK, Australia and the
Celebrity’s new Solstice class of ship is the creates a much more attractive presentation. Netherlands. We have affiliates who work with us
world’s first to use solar technology to generate “We’ve done all this and more, but even and give us feedback on how we can best meet
power. The line has also installed LED lighting so, we’re always exploring other avenues for the needs of our international guests,” he said.
across its fleet, and windows have been fitted reducing our environmental footprint, and will “For example, we include food on our menus
with a film to reduce heat, allowing more continue to implement new measures as they that appeals to the British and Dutch, and we
efficient use of air-conditioning. develop and can be feasibly applied.” schedule entertainment on cruises we know
will attract more guests from, say, the UK or
Australia, that will cater to their preferences.”
CONSUMER SURVEY.
Agents’ advice ‘not important’
Convention TTG coverage
As Ace’s official trade media partner for the
AN ONLINE survey by Cruise.co.uk has suggested of agents adding value, for example by UK Cruise Convention in Dover, TTG has got it
customers have little loyalty to agents. repackaging, and offering convenience. covered.
The survey, which was commissioned for “There was little loyalty indicated – agents If you are not one of the 500 agents due at
the convention, generated more than 3,000 weren’t seen as critical,” he said. “Most people the three-day event on June 17-19, keep up with
responses. Most respondents did not consider look for the best deal and developments on ttglive.com and in TTG.
agents as an important source of advice when for convenience.” Our team of Roving Readers will be reporting
researching and booking a cruise. Conlon said agents should from the event and the four ship visits: Holland
But it found that although internet reviews by capture communities, either America Line’s Prinsendam, Fred Olsen’s
fellow cruisers were highly rated, substantial online or by hosting live Braemar, Princess Cruises’ Tahitian Princess
numbers of customers did use travel agents. cruise events, and ensure and Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Symphony.
Cruise.co.uk managing director Seamus Conlon they are open at night when Dedicated Cruise Convention email alerts
said the findings underlined the importance clients want to book. will be sent out on Thursday and Friday with
news and pictures.
■ For the full results of the Cruise.co.uk survey, see the UK Cruise For full coverage, see TTG on July 26
Convention programme distributed with this week’s TTG
10 12.06.2009
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