US agents ‘optimistic’ about cruise sales
The survey found that 66.2% of agents in the US predicted that overall cruise revenues for 2009 will be the same or better than 2008, with 29.6% expecting somewhat better revenues this year.
Almost 70% of agents expected overall bookings this year to be the same or better, with 31% expecting somewhat better bookings in 2009.
Among the top motivating factors for consumers for booking a cruise were special offers (32.7%), good pricing (29.4%) and good value (23%).
For a quarter of agents in the US, the average price of cruises sold was $1,000-$1,500 during Wave Season; for 23.2% of respondents, the average price was $751-$999; with 7.6% reporting average prices of cruises sold to be less than $500.
CLIA president and CEO Terry Dale said: "Given the exceptional economic environment we find ourselves in, these survey results should be taken as good news.
"They show every indication that consumers are responding to the value offered by cruise vacations and to the many incentives offered by CLIA member cruise lines.
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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