MSC eyes double UK/Ireland sales Ella Sagar
MSC Cruises is aiming to double its UK and Ireland business by 2030 as it looks to capitalise on its growing fleet. Antonio Paradiso, vice-president
for international sales, outlined the aim after the line confirmed an order for two additional World Class ships, due in 2030 and 2031, taking its total order book to six. It currently operates a fleet of 23 ships. Paradiso hopes the extra capacity
will enable the line to double the number of bookings from the UK and Ireland in the next five years. “The UK is already in our top-five
markets globally and, with all of the capacity coming in worldwide, we
see an opportunity to double our numbers in the short term,” he said. He highlighted that most of the
new ships under construction will sail in areas that are “successful for the UK”, such as the Mediterranean, northern Europe and Caribbean. MSC’s World Class ships include
World Europa and World America, with World Asia to launch in 2026 and World Atlantic in 2027, followed by four yet-to-be-named ships by 2031. Paradiso said MSC Cruises
would “continue to double down on the trade” and be “a trade-oriented company” to help fill the extra capacity and reach its target. “We want to make sure we
provide the best service and support to our partners,” he added.
Janine Loves Travel duo to open stores under other brands
Samantha Mayling
The founder of Janine Loves Travel and her business growth director are both set to open high street shops. Janine Marshall, whose
homeworking agency joined Protected Trust Services in 2023, is refurbishing a coffee shop in Westbourne, Bournemouth, while Max Kelly is renovating a barber’s premises in Johnstone, near Glasgow. Marshall’s shop will open under
a new luxury brand, Agent Nouveau, while Kelly’s will take his existing brand, Loupr, which offers adventure travel for couples.
6 27 NOVEMBER 2025 Marshall said her shop will be in
“beautiful, vintage-style premises”, with sofas rather than desks, and an open-plan kitchen. “Peaks are coming, so we signed
the lease, hoping to be in before January,” she said. “We both feel it is the next step. I’ve worked from home for a long time, and I’m ready to have a workplace.” A former chef, she aims to
incorporate food and drink in the business and host events with local brands. Kelly will be joined in his shop
by husband Charles, who has an accountancy background. “There is still demand for people
Antonio Paradiso
He revealed the line’s summer
2027 programme launch in October had been “its best ever”, while sales for its Alaska seasons in 2026 and 2027 had been “performing even better than anticipated”.
“The launch of MSC Meraviglia
for summer 2027 from the UK has been the best we have ever seen,” he said. “The new [longer] itineraries have been well received by trade partners and consumers.” Paradiso reported the line had
seen a longer booking curve, with “a strong trend” in August for bookings 18 months ahead for 2026 and beyond. On other trends, he said the
UK was the second-largest source market globally for MSC Yacht Club, the line’s luxury ‘ship-within-a-ship’ offering. “We are seeing consistent trends
for premium and luxury,” he said. “Every new ship will have a
generous amount of space for Yacht Club – that is a focus for us.”
Janine Marshall
Max Kelly
to visit a high street store for a sit- down conversation, particularly when planning something bespoke,” he said. The area is busy with Glasgow
commuters and Kelly hopes to turn the shop into “a destination in itself”. “It has got to stand out in the
marketplace, be something different, and encourage people to go in,” he said. “There’s a plan to expand, possibly with some homeworkers, under the Loupr brand, hot-desking within the shop.” The shop plans come as Janine
Loves Travel reported it is on track for more than £22 million in sales this year and now has 411 homeworkers. In April, it said it had made sales of
£12 million in the past 12 months and had 380 home-based agents. “The business has been growing
very organically throughout the year,” said Marshall. “We have got three agents who
have hit £1 million in sales and agents making it a full-time business. “I am positive. We’ve had really
good year; it’s set us up for the next phase of our business.” The agency is also launching
a bookable website this week in partnership with Top Dog Travel Systems, enabling homeworkers and clients to book online, especially simple family packages to Mediterranean destinations.
travelweekly.co.uk
PICTURE: James D Hume
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