Travel agents are “critical” in delivering Carnival Corporation’s plan to attract more new-to-cruise customers, chief executive Josh Weinstein said.
Speaking on a financial results call, he hailed the success of the trade on sales volumes, which he said are up 45% year-on-year.
He went on to say the number of new-to-cruise passengers that sailed with the corporation’s brands in the second quarter of 2023 exceeded 2019 numbers, praising the trade for its contribution.
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“Our cumulative numbers of new-to-cruise and new-to-brand guests who sailed with us in the second quarter have already exceeded 2019 levels,” he said.
Weinstein continued to say Carnival has increased its sales and sales support staff by more than 50% in recent months to accommodate its “success”.
He said the additional staff is having a positive impact of the trade, which is “rebounding significantly”.
“In order for us to be successful, we need all of our sales channels to excel and that certainly includes our travel agent partners who are critical in helping us widen the pipeline for new-to-cruise guests,” he said.
“The trade is continuing to rebound significantly, with sales volumes up 45% year-over-year, as we increase training, engagement and support activities.”
Weinstein was speaking after Carnival Corporation released second quarter results, reporting bookings and customer deposits “hitting all-time highs”.