Speaking at the Cruise Seminar in the Arabian Travel
Market yesterday, leading cruise line representatives called for the regional
travel trade to invest in personnel development to expand the outbound cruising
market.
According to moderator, consultant Alan Le Coyte,
worldwide passenger numbers were more than 21 million last year with over 400
ships sailing worldwide: “Asia,
Australia and South America are among new destinations for cruising, as well as
the Arabian Gulf, all of which add up to exciting potential for agents to
increase sales … and earn more commission,” he said.
Regional
sales & marketing director for Costa Cruises, Dario Rustico stressed that trade
support remained crucial for the development of the industry: “Sales via the
trade may not be 100 per cent any more but maybe 70 per cent comes through
travel agents and they are still essential,” he said.
CEO
of The Cruise Portfolio, Daniel Essex said online or face-to-face training was
offered by most cruise lines and Royal Caribbean’s Helen Beck suggested
agencies should consider investing in training cruise specialists to increase
earnings – while cruise manager at dnata –Gulf Ventures, Jasem Zaiton, put the
case for themed cruise centres to bring the cruise experience closer to the
client.
“Agencies
should consider engaging more Arabic speaking staff to promote to the local
market,” he said, adding that greater exposure on social media, perhaps featuring
local and regional celebrities on a cruise, would emphasis the benefits and
experience of cruising as a vacation.
“Eighty-five
per cent of GCC travellers stay in the region and this market could be targeted
now that the trend to vacation in Lebanon and Egypt has changed due to
instability in these countries.”
To
support further growth in Gulf cruising, Costa is varying its itineraries next
year to offer a ‘slow cruise’ option that will include overnight stays in Abu
Dhabi, Dubai and Muscat, said Costa’s Rustico, while Helen Beck suggested that
in future the Chinese and Indian markets would look to the region as a cruise
destination, raising the possibility of bringing in newer and bigger ships in
response to increased demand.
