The world will see a “really healthy cruise industry again in the next three to five years”, a cruise line boss has predicted.
Peter Shanks, managing director for the UK, Europe, Middle East and Africa for Silversea Cruises, said: “I think we will get through this. It’s not just a cruise issue. We are in this together. We can’t operate a cruise without an airline, a port, an airport and most importantly a travel agent.
“The world is currently shut, but once the whole world opens up, we will all start to travel and we will see everyone coming back in this together.
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Speaking on the latest Travel Weekly COVID-19 webcast, Shanks added: “I am sure, in the next three to five years, you’ll see a really healthy cruise industry and clearly, we need to spend the time to get ready for that growth because that growth is still coming.”
Shanks predicted avid cruisers would be the first to come back to the market but admitted new-to-cruise customers may take more convincing.
“Our loyal guests really understand how cruising works and have a lot of faith and trust in our incredible health and safety protocols,” he said.
“There is a tremendous sense of support from these loyal guests and they will be the first to come back and support the industry while we take more time to persuade newcomers as to all the protocols we’ll be putting in place to make sure they feel comfortable to sail with us.”
Shanks said Clia had a key role to play in the sector’s recovery. “Clia has an incredible machine in place for supporting agents with conferences, training and ship visits,” he added. “But what will change now, of course, is the content of how you work with travel agents through Clia, in the new world, with the new ways of operating.
“It will be the new way of cruising, with all the new protocols in place. But when the time is right, Clia will be a tremendous asset to help us to help agents still attract newcomers to cruise.”