Hays Travel’s head of cruise said the Independence Group members’ sales for cruise lines over the past year have been “simply incredible”.
At last year’s Hays IG overseas conference, Catriona Parsons (pictured) told delegates about “sleeping giants” in the cruise sector and urged IG agents to focus on selling cruises to take advantage of its many opportunities.
On Sunday (March 5) at the IG conference in the Algarve, she said: “Last year, I asked about sleeping giants; the results are simply incredible but this is just the beginning.
“You really got behind cruising and lots of sleeping giants have come into their own.”
She said the number of IG members selling cruise has gone up from 82% to 84% and urged them to continue their success in the sector as cruise lines are investing and expanding the market.
“It is the fastest growing part of the holiday market,” she said.
“No other holiday can match it for value for money.”
Last year saw the launch of 27 ships and trends show that many customers are booking longer durations, spending more and choosing ‘bucket list’ itineraries.
Jonathon Woodall-Johnston, Hays Travel chief commercial officer, said the cruise market is forecast to grow by 36% over the next three years and repeat booking rates are “fantastic”.
Parsons advised agents to learn more about the wide range of ships and destinations as “there is something for everyone, the choice is endless”.
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She also flagged up how the commission rates that Hays IG gets from cruise lines make the sector “even more profitable for you”.
“Customers will come back. If you are not selling cruising, someone else will be,” she told delegates.
The conference also heard from Jo Rzymowska, Celebrity Cruises’ EMEA vice-president and managing director, who said the ‘wave’ peak booking season had been “phenomenal”.
Mandy Burrie, strategic account manager, and her colleague Jess Trickett, regional sales manager for the northeast and northwest at Celebrity Cruises, said the cruise line is seeing more people spending higher amounts.
Trickett said there is “incredible demand” for European cruises and seven ships will offer itineraries in Europe this summer.
MSC Cruises’ Alyshia Bartlett and Karen Spencer also talked to delegates about the opportunities for sales, training and incentives – and how they have a team of 17 to support agents.
Bartlett, national account manager, said ship visits were being planned for Southampton, Belfast and Greenock.
Spencer, regional sales manager, said MSC Virtuosa will be sailing from Southampton in summer 2023 and summer 2024, with new sister ship MSC Euribia offering cruises from the port from October 2023.