Bouldin tips return to 2m cruise pax Josie Klein


Agents will have a “great opportunity” to capitalise on demand as cruise passenger numbers are likely to top two million again in the coming years, Clia UK & Ireland chair Ben Bouldin has predicted. Speaking on a Travel Weekly


webcast, Bouldin forecast cruise passenger figures would surpass the 2019 level this year as holidaymakers regained confidence to travel for longer and farther afield. UK and Ireland ocean cruise


passenger numbers peaked at 2.01 million in 2018, before dipping to 1.99 million in 2019 and plummeting during the pandemic, according to Clia figures. Bouldin said: “Cruising is getting


back to more of the cadence that we were used to seeing in 2017, 2018 and 2019 and I expect 2023 and 2024 to be very exciting years for the industry. I think the numbers will go beyond two million. “The booking curve is starting to


go out and I think prices will start to go up. That’s great for the cruise lines and, obviously, great for the trade as commission values go up as well.” Bouldin also highlighted data


collected by Clia which revealed 27% of those who had sailed for two or more nights in the past year travelled in a party of three or more generations. He said cruise was a “phenomenal


vehicle” for multigenerational holidays, but suggested that the 2022 figure was inflated following the pandemic and might not continue.


USAirtours reveals 50,000-passenger target by 2025


Samantha Mayling


USAirtours has outlined ambitious growth plans for the next two years thanks to more-efficient post-Covid processes and working from home. The trade-only operator is


also planning a series of themed incentives for travel agents to mark its 40th anniversary. Founder and chief executive Guy


Novik said: “Working from home means we are no longer restricted by the number of desks if we want to expand. We will be looking to


6 4 MAY 2023


significantly grow the business and expect to be two-and-a-half times the size by the end of September 2025.” Sales for 2023 are expected to


reach pre-Covid levels with turnover of £35 million, with about 15,000 passengers – although the number of customers is 25% down on 2019. Novik said the prices of holidays


are about 23% higher than in 2019, adding: “We are targeting 50,000 passengers by 2025.” The workforce is expected to


grow by half, from 60 to 90, but not as fast as passenger numbers thanks to in-house technology investments.


The booking curve


is starting to go out and I think prices will start to go up – that’s great for lines and the trade


“I think we saw a lot of families


coming together in 2022 after the pandemic, but I think it was a very exaggerated number, so we’ll see [if it continues],” he said. “However, that statistic definitely


says to me that multigenerational cruising is a segment that agents can really focus on.” Clia data also found 76% of those


who had sailed in the past year were “much more” or “more” aware of


environmental and sustainable tourism. Bouldin praised the industry for


the strides it has taken in making sailing more sustainable and argued it would be “one of the leading players in the journey to net zero” by 2025. “I’m confident we’re going to start


to see a conveyor belt of terrific news on what the cruise industry is doing to ensure it continues to evolve and drive a sustainable blueprint,” he said. “People will start to see how


resourceful and incredibly smart the cruise industry is in terms of tackling [sustainability] challenges.”


Watch the interview with Ben Bouldin in full at:


travelweekly.co.uk/media


Las Vegas


“Covid gave us a chance to take


a fresh look at our processes and become more efficient,” Novik said. “Staff can turn quotes around in a third of the time.” He said USAirtours will celebrate


its 40th anniversary with agents via ‘40-themed’ promotions such as £40 booking incentives, draws with 40 prizes and fam trips with 40 places. “We have been supported by a


loyal group of agents over the years,” he added. As well as US holidays, the


company sells Canada, the Caribbean and fly-cruises to North America.


Despite the rising cost of holidays


since 2019, Novik pointed out that holidays to the US are about the same price now as they were in 2000. “Long-haul fares haven’t changed,


so more people can afford them,” he said. “There is demand for more specialist touring and activity holidays – that’s an area we are focused on. “Customers are more discerning


and will book premium economy or business-class flights and they want to stay in decent hotels. Their


expectations have increased.” i USAirtours celebrates 40th anniversary, page 11


travelweekly.co.uk


PICTURE: Shutterstock/f11photo


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