Agents need to communicate cruise value
Sunday, 19 Jan, 2009
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TravelMole Cruise Comment by NCL sales director Nick Wilkinson
It is impossible to comment on the travel market without mention of the recession and its impact on consumer spending.
But as a number of recent reports indicated, the majority of people will still take at least one holiday this year, albeit a slimmed down and more value-centric version than they previously enjoyed.
As value for money is undoubtedly top priority for consumers in 2009, agents need more than ever to communicate this to generate bookings.
But this is good news for the cruise industry. Cruise has a host of cost effective selling points which agents can capitalise on to help get past cruisers re-booking, and first timers moving over from land-based stays.
The ability to do this successfully can be achieved simply by knowledge. A combination of product knowledge and the know-how to leverage sales tools to best effect is integral to generating those credit crunch bookings.
Customers need to know that as a largely all inclusive holiday option with as many restaurants, bars and family facilities as a resort, coupled with the ability to visit several locations in one trip, cruising is an intelligent holiday investment.
NCL’s Wave campaign enables discounts of up to £400 per stateroom and these savings can be made on worldwide itineraries sailing through peak summer school holiday periods so customers are not restricted in terms of when they can travel.
Additional saving options are available too. Customers making group bookings can receive one place in a group of 16 free, and agents can also offer them special group rates on top of Wave prices, without losing out on commission.
NCL has also recently made deposits of just £50 per person available for its short breaks. This extremely affordable deposit is ideal to entice first timers to dip their toe in the water or to offer customers looking for a weekend getaway something different.
The fact is that consumers will continue to spend cautiously this year, but equipped with the savings tools available through the Wave period, agents are in a great position to make those all important sales and ride the current storm through to its end.
Phil Davies
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