Costa sales ‘beating downturn’
Costa Cruises claims to be beating the credit crunch with improved levels of UK bookings.
UK managing director Marco Rosa revealed that the line had already achieved 62% of its budget for 2009 sailings, 12% ahead of the equivalent period in 2007 for this year.
Speaking at World Travel Market, Rosa admitted that “tactical†pricing methods were being employed and that a lot of bookings were coming in late for winter fly-cruises in the Mediterranean and from Dubai.
However, sailings in the Far East were full until next May and deaprtures from Mauritius were also performing well.
He attributed the sales resilience to the value proposition offered by the Italian line, including no charges for children other than port taxes. This means that families pay just £89 per child for a seven-night Med cruise which includes all meals, entertainment and child care.
“People in this country will staill travel and will not give up their holiday,†he said. “A cruise will still be the best value for money, particularly for families.â€
Costa’s confidence is supported by the planned twin christening of two new ships on June 5 next year in Genoa.
The 3,700-passenger Costa Pacificia will be joined by the smaller 2,828-passenger Costa Luminosa, the first in a new breed of ship for the line with 68% of cabins offering balconies, the highest percentage in the fleet.
Luminosa will operate in northern Europe next summer from Amsterdam after two introductory Med sailings.
It will be joined by sister ship Costa Deliziosa in January 2010 with new itineraries due to be unveiled in a brochure due out early next year.
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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