Caribbean retains popularity as No. 1 cruise destination
The Caribbean remains the most popular cruise destination, and travel agents expect that cruise sales to the region in 2007 will surpass sales in 2006, according to a poll conducted by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
Eighty percent of more than 500 CLIA travel agents named the destination as the most popular among their customers, and 88% reported that the total number of Caribbean cruises sold at their agencies in 2006 increased over 2005; 93% of agents predicted that 2007 sales totals would surpass 2006 levels.
The survey also showed that customer satisfaction rates had also risen, with nearly 90% of agencies reporting that their clients were very satisfied or extremely satisfied with their Caribbean cruises, CLIA said.
“Hands down, cruise vacationers will find the cruise industry’s most innovative ships in the Caribbean,” said Terry Dale, president and CEO of CLIA, in a statement.
“The Caribbean is a veritable candy store when it comes to the array of cruise lines and ships that are available to travelers.”
Other findings of the CLIA survey included:
- Almost half said that a cruise was the perfect way to sample Caribbean islands that they wish to visit again by ship or by land.
- 53% of respondents sold western Caribbean itineraries most often, 34% the eastern Caribbean and 9% the southern Caribbean.
Report by David Wilkening
David
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 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025