TRAVELMANAGERS is relishing consistent growth in cruise sales this year, with the travel agency network having seen a 95% increase in trading in the first five months of 2023. According to Cruise Product Manager Lia Malone, growth in the cruise sector is not solely due to an increase in the...
TRAVELMANAGERS is relishing consistent growth in cruise sales this year, with the travel agency network having seen a 95% increase in trading in the first five months of 2023.
According to Cruise Product Manager Lia Malone, growth in the cruise sector is not solely due to an increase in the number of bookings, but more significantly the impressive 71% increase in average value per reservation.
“An increasing number of clients are enhancing their cruise holiday experiences by upgrading their choice of stateroom and selecting all-inclusive pricing options, with verandah or balcony staterooms currently our highest-selling category,” she explained.
Malone says river cruising continues to be a favoured choice with TravelManagers’ customers, who enjoy the smaller ship format which allows for a more intimate, all-inclusive experience.
Europe is one of the current hottest destinations for cruise, she added, with TravelManagers’ sales for this region having doubled, compared with the same period last year.
“Australia-based cruises are also playing a significant role in contributing to our overall growth, as evidenced by the increased number of cruise ships heading to Australia for the first time,” Malone added.
Current booking trends show most cruise customers are making their advance bookings for travel within a six- to 12-month window, although forward booking numbers beyond this remain at a consistent pace as well.
The overall increase in demand for cruising is complemented by a rising number of the company’s personal travel managers’ new cruise customers coming from referrals.
“We take this as testament to the expertise of our PTMs in delivering exceptional service that matches each client with the ideal cruise experience,” she said.
