The CruisePlanet website acquired by the newly formed Australian Travel Group (TDCU 26 Jun) forms a significant plank of the group’s overall strategy, according to an Australian Stock Exchange update issued yesterday.
The company’s plans are “designed to further market penetration of the burgeoning $3 billion cruise industry with its 20% annual growth, of which Holiday Planet is already one of Australia’s biggest cruise based tourism providers,” the firm said.
ATG is being created via the reverse listing of WA mining firm Red Gum Resources, which is switching its focus to travel by buying OTA HolidayPlanet (incorporating CruisePlanet), wholesaler Asia Escape Holidays and retail agent Motive Travel.
CruisePlanet will focus on “high discretionary spend travellers and retirees,” targeting them with high-margin ‘non-transparent’ product including “Round World Cruise tours between 25 and 36 days” as well as South America tours and luxury cruising.
The group’s new online cruise booking engine, to launch later in the year, will cover “90% of the world’s top cruise companies,” and allow users to search, book, pay and ticket online.
Product will also feature African safaris, tours and luxury train travel, according to the update.
The strategy includes “online EDMs…to introduce the tour to consumers who can then transact via Call Centre.”
Holiday Planet founder Alan Dodson will become the group’s chairman and lead ATG’s overall sales and marketing strategy.