5.2m ‘cruise virgins’ indentified as potential market
More than five million potential ‘cruise virgins’ have been identified as a market for UK travel agents to go after.
The figure of 5.2 million so-called active potential cruisers was revealed by Carnival UK chief commercial officer Peter Shanks at the ABTA Travel Convention in Tenerife.
Moderating a cruise masterclass, Shanks said the UK cruise sector was set for 61% growth over five years from 1.35 million passengers this year to break through the two million barrier in 2012.
The market is currently worth £1.5 billion and will grow to £2.5 billion in five years, with commission available to agents almost doubling from £180 million to £300 million.
Despite annual average growth of 12% a year, less than three per cent of people who go on holidays take cruises, according to Shanks.
In addition to eight new ships this year, a further 45 are due to enter service by 2012 at a cost of between £250 million-£300 million per vessel, said Royal Caribbean International UK and Ireland managing director Jo Rzymowska.
She outlined a number of opportunities for agents to attract first-time cruisers, including special interest clubs, revealing that 250 Elvis lookalikes have booked on the inaugural sailing of the world’s largest cruise ship Independence of the Seas next year.
Fred Olsen sales and marketing director Nigel Lingard detailed cruise line support for agents and said the Association of Cruise Experts’ 2008 cruise convention in Southampton on May 19-21 would allow 500 agents to make visits to five ships.
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026