| Face to Face: Allison Portus Marketing and Communications Manager for Bill Peach Journeys

WELCOME TO FACE TO FACE, CW’S THURSDAY FEATURE WHERE WE CHAT TO CRUISE INDUSTRY LEADERS.
This week we talk to Allison Portus Marketing and
Communications Manager for Bill Peach Journeys.
How did you get into the cruise industry?
We saw that there was a lot of growth in the cruise industry and felt
that our clients would like to see this in our international programs.
Our business is at the luxury end of the market and so cruise
companies such as River Cloud, Silversea and Seabourn were a
natural fit for our clients.
Where do you see your company in five years?
As the leader in small group luxury cruise journeys.
What is the key to your company’s success?
Our success with cruising is that we keep our groups to a
maximum size of 20. We see our journeys as an intimate
experience, private group shore excursions and with pre and post tours staying at hotels
such as the Mandarin Oriental or Orient Express properties.
What is your favourite destination, and why?
I loved Ho Chi Minh City. The city has a real buzz to it and has changed so much since the
last time I went there 10 years ago. The people are kind, the food amazing and the
shopping is very inexpensive.
How do you spend days at sea?
I always do a gym class in the mornings and then when we get into port I like to do my
own exploration of a city. On the days at sea I read a book, swim, take part in cooking
classes or attend lectures and chat with other passengers.
How can cruising continue to grow in the current financial climate?
I think cruising is actually very affordable and very good value for money- especially on the
cruise ships that have US currency. I think we can see with the growth in cruising in
Australia. Our cruise business has doubled in the past three years.
What do you think is the most underrated/overrated aspect of cruising?
I think that the most underrated thing is that once on board you really don’t have to pay
for anything else, especially on ships such as Silversea and Seabourn. Overrated: can’t
think of anything I would change about my first cruise experience, only that no one told me
I would need to go on a diet afterwards!
Just for fun!
Favourite ship: Silver Shadow
Favourite ship activity: Yoga and Pilates
Favourite shore excursion: Ho Chi Minh Shopping
Favourite region: South East Asia
Favourite port: Singapore
Favourite onboard food/drink: Dinner in La Terrazza
Favourite perk of the job: Getting to travel in luxury to amazing places