CELEBRITY Cruises’ recently announced Royal Beach Club Santorini (CW 29 Oct) will be a positive force against overtourism, in addition to adding to the company’s popular Ultimate Destinations, according to President Laura Hodges Bethge. Hodges Bethge, speaking exclusively to Cruise Weekly aboard the new Celebrity Xcel last week (CW 21...
CELEBRITY Cruises’ recently announced Royal Beach Club Santorini (CW 29 Oct) will be a positive force against overtourism, in addition to adding to the company’s popular Ultimate Destinations, according to President Laura Hodges Bethge.
Hodges Bethge, speaking exclusively to Cruise Weekly aboard the new Celebrity Xcel last week (CW 21 Nov), said her line will make up about half of the volume sailing into the new destination (pictured) once it opens in the northern summer.
“Santorini is a small place, and so when travellers [arrive], there can be a lot, and it can overwhelm the [destination].
“Working in conjunction with the government, we’re selling it as a package,” she said.
The idea is for passengers to experience Europe’s beach club culture, while also visiting the best of the rest of the island, with the result minimising the concentration of passengers.
“There’s three different stops along the way, and that journey allows us to disperse guests and make sure they are having a wonderful experience,” she said.
Royal Caribbean Group Chair & Chief Executive Officer Jason Liberty, who also spoke about the topic on a panel aboard Xcel, noted the company is already a highly beneficial prospect for destinations, with its passengers spending more both on cruise line-organised shore excursions and when independently visiting during a port call. MS
