News 01.03.12
Comment: Costa Cruises – a sunken brand
Danyl Bosomworth, managing director of First 10 Digital and partner of Smart Insights
One accident might be forgiven. However, the story of a flawed captain, combined with leaving a ship this long on its side with a branded smokestack at 45 degrees, has created a lasting negative image for consumers for years to come. Now with a second ship adrift in the Indian Ocean after a fire, it is surely the death knell for Costa Cruises. But what are Costa doing about it? Where is Costa getting involved? Its homepage does little to address the issues head on. With so much choice in the market
why would a consumer, experienced in cruises or not, risk Costa? Sacrificing that brand might be the best decision from a group perspective. After all, the big player Carnival also needs to be seen to restore trust in cruises generally.
TOP COMPANIES
Barrhead voted one of best employers
BARRHEAD TRAVEL’s growth opportunities for staff was a key reason for the company being voted one of the best companies to work for in the UK, believes its managing director. The travel agency appeared at number 60 on the Sunday Times100 Best Companies to Work For 2012 list. Jacqueline Dobson said: “Staff see us expanding and they see their jobs as secure. We also introduced a new pension scheme and life cover last year, changed our bonus structure and added new incentives.” ITC Classics also featured in 100 Best Small Companies to Work For 2012. Chief executive Jennifer Atkinson told TTG: “We are humbled
04 01.03.2012
Deals ahoy after latest Costa crisis
Sophie Griffiths
AGENTS EXPECT new cruise deals to flood the market after news of a fire onboard the Costa
Allegra was broadcast across international media. As TTGwent to press, the ship was being towed to a nearby island, and Costa Cruises had insisted that all 1,000 people onboard, including an estimated 30 Britons, were safe. The incident comes six weeks after
the Costa Concordia tragedy made headlines all over the world and agents agree that consumer confidence in the sector is likely to be further dented, particularly with first-time cruisers. Seamus Conlon, managing director of
Cruise.co.uk, said: “Without a doubt the latest Costa incident will
i infobox
OTHER TRAVEL COMPANIES ON THE TOP 100 LIST: Botanic Inns (35), The Savoy (44), Holiday Extras (45), Mondial Assistance (58), Flight Centre (65), and Red Carnation Hotels (71). THE 25 BEST BIG COMPANIES TO WORK FOR: American Express (7), Marriott Hotels (12), Bourne Leisure (13), IHG (14), Hilton Hotels UK (18), and Midcounties Co-operative (24). THE 100 BEST SMALL COMPANIES TO WORK FOR: SilverDoor Serviced Apartments (17), Cavendish Hotel (43) and ITC Classics (67).
and shocked to appear on the list. We have been on a journey in the past three years and knew we had to re- engage staff on the new vision of ITC.”
THOMSON TUNES IN: Agents at the Thomson branch in Bluewater shopping centre in Ke from Celebrity Cruises onboard a cappella band Aquaudio. The US-based band has been vis which features free flights on selected itineraries and which has seen UK agents competing
have an impact on the new to the cruise market. Now that cruise is in the mainstream media, every time that something happens, the story will be replayed with a picture of the Concordia.” Robin Deller, managing director of Imagine Cruising, agreed: “Those that are new to cruise and sitting on the fence usually end up booking after speaking with us, but it doesn’t take a lot to make those that were cautious anyway revert back to the other side of the fence.
“It will be price that pushes them
ARGENTINA: The Foreign Office was “very concerned” after Argentina refused to allow P&O’s Adonia and the Star Princess to dock at one of its ports this week. They were turned away after visiting the Falklands.
over now – it will become an opportunist market for the short term,” he added. “Rates will come down and cruise lines will have to compete for the consumer. The ships will sail full, but at what cost?” Conlon also agreed that deals would drive consumers back to the sector. “Even after Concordia we had people on our web forums discussing what this would mean for prices.” Meanwhile, like brand expert
Danyl Bosomworth (left), Andrew Earle, owner of World of Travel, believes the Costa brand will not recover from the two incidents. “I wouldn’t expect any booking enquiries about Costa now,” he said. Deller, however, is more optimistic.
“We had a couple who were on the Concordia and they have since enquired about another Costa cruise. I think the brand will survive,” he added. “People have short memories.”
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