Cruise lines say demand negates need to discount


Robin Searle


Agents should not revert to discounting or rule out attracting newcomers to cruise as they promote forward bookings, according to experts from the sector. Speakers at the Clia Virtual


Cruise Showcase said the reaction to the launch of programmes for 2022 and 2023 demonstrated that demand remained and there was significant interest in new vessels and itineraries. Alex Delamere-White, vice-


president of sales and marketing at P&O Cruises, said the response to the line’s programme launch this year had outstripped 2019, including double- digit growth from newcomers. Graham Sadler, senior vice-


president and managing director for the EMEA region at Regent Seven Seas Cruises, said the line’s world cruise released in September was filled within a week and its 2022-23 programme had “far outstripped anything we have done in the past”. He added: “People are willing to


pay the full price. Pricing a couple of years ago was important but there are different factors now and price is lower down. The deep, deep discounts [of previous years], I’m not sure will need to be around.” Peter Shanks, managing director


Participants in Clia‘s Virtual Cruise Showcase Pricing a couple of


years ago was important but there are different factors now and price is lower down


of Silversea Cruises, said: “There are two million British cruisers a year, and a million are addicted, they go every year or twice a year. They haven’t been anywhere for a year and they are desperate to get back to sea.” Antonio Paradiso, MSC Cruises


Royal Caribbean offers support and incentives for homeworkers


Royal Caribbean International has launched a Homeworkers’ Hub with information, exclusive benefits and incentives. It links to Club Royal training modules and has details of campaigns and promotions and enables home-based agents to access sales support via Live Chat. The line also launched an app for Club Rewards last week.


8 17 DECEMBER 2020


managing director for the UK and Ireland, said the focus in the upcoming wave period was likely to be on “flexibility over cheaper fares”. Speakers also reiterated their


support for the trade, with Shanks describing agents as the industry “heroes” of the pandemic who remained “the future” for cruise lines. Paradiso said all lines were finding


“generous” ways to drive trade sales, while Delamere-White confirmed P&O would “absolutely” reschedule a planned event for more than 1,000 agents on new ship Iona after being forced to cancel in May.


GoCruise agent Bishop plans to sell travel in his local pub


A GoCruise & Travel homeworker plans to host a pop-up agency at weekends in his local pub. Graham Bishop is working with GoCruise parent Fred Olsen Travel to develop a pop-up agency model with marketing materials, iPad stands and brochures. Bishop’s trial will be in the snug of the Hawkins Arms in Probus, Cornwall.


Travel House to open 23rd store in Blackwood, Wales


Travel House will open its 23rd branch, in Blackwood, south Wales, in a shop previously occupied by Tailor Made Travel. Five former Tailor Made Travel


agents will join the independent agency to run the store. Tailor Made entered


administration on September 3 and was acquired by Hays Travel. Staff at the Blackwood branch


moved to an existing Hays branch across the road but have now quit to join the new Travel House store in their former premises. Elaine Watkins will be manager


and Kath Brown assistant manager, with three more former colleagues to join in January. Kate Bowen, Travel House


business development manager, said: “They have been in travel for years and are well-known in the area – it was a very successful shop. “Blackwood is a thriving town.


With Hays and Tailor Made, there was enough business for both to do well.”


Elaine Watkins (top) and Kath Brown


Loveholidays to refund £18m after pressure from the CMA


Loveholidays has agreed to refund more than £18 million to 44,000 customers for holidays cancelled due to Covid-19 after a Competition and Markets Authority investigation. Money is for the flight portion of package bookings the company told consumers it would not refund unless it was refunded in turn by airlines.


travelweekly.co.uk


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