Paul Sharp presentation
-
Upload
clia-uk-ireland -
Category
Documents
-
view
629 -
download
2
description
Transcript of Paul Sharp presentation
THE RIVER CRUISE CALENDAR
The World of River Cruising
•Demand for River Cruising is growing YOY.
•Stock sells out fast.
•River cruising attracts a diverse blend of passengers
who will try different itineraries.
•River cruise operators continue to grow despite
market the current economic conditions.
The one thing we all have in common is the rivers that we
sail on and when we sail on them.
•Unlike Ocean Cruising, River Cruise Operators are
dictated by tidal conditions.
•High water levels prevent
us from sailing under bridges on particular rivers.
•Low water conditions
prevent us from sailing up the rivers.
Where and when do river cruises
sail?
•February – March: The Nile, Yangtze & Mekong
•March – April: Paris Cruises, Dutch Waterways & Rhine
Singles Cruises
•May – September: Rhine, Moselle, Neckar & Main River,
Douro
•July – October: Scottish Highlands
•August: Seine: Saone, Rhone & Russian Waterways
•September: Danube & Yangtze
•November - December- Rhine & Christmas Cruises, Douro
This ensures:
•The client gets the cruise and cabin
they want.
•The Travel Agent protects their commission.
•The River Cruise Industry does not become a discounting battlefield.
As a rule of thumb, UK clients will generally book their river cruise with
their travel agent 6 months (if not more) in advance of the
day of departure.
•February – March: The Nile, Yangtze & Mekong
•March – April: Paris Cruises, Dutch Waterways & Rhine
Singles Cruises
•May – September: Rhine, Moselle, Neckar & Main River,
Douro
•July – October: Scottish Highlands
•August: Seine: Saone, Rhone & Russian Waterways
•September: Danube & Yangtze
•November - December- Rhine & Christmas Cruises, Douro
AUGUST/ SEPTEMBER
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER/JANUARY FEBRUARY/MARCH/APRIL/MAY
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER
JANUARY/FEBRUARY
FEBRUARY/ MARCH
MARCH/APRIL
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER
AVERAGE BOOKING TIMES
The Clientele
•In 2010, the UK river cruise marker grew by 8% to reach over 142,000 passengers.
River Cruise Holidays (pax 000s), 2009 - 2011
•The clientele used to be 70-plus but the age band is dropping and many
cruisers are now 50-70.
•River cruises appeal to the kind of people who like to have something to
do all the time.
•The majority of passengers on board river cruise ships are empty nesters.
•River cruises are a popular choice for
customers who like escorted tours.
Small cruise ship experience
City Breaks
Coaching/Escorted Holidays
Rail Holidays
Group Travellers
Large cruise ship passengers
In Summary...
•Understand the river cruise calendar. •Work your marketing and advertising around booking patterns. •Make adverts informative and editorial. •Understand that there is sense of urgency when selling a river cruise due to capacity and let your clients know this. • Protect the healthy levels of commission on offer. •Learn about the ports of call and each river cruise line’s USP’s •Understand the fundamental differences between Ocean and River Cruising. •Review your database of clients – river cruise passengers already exist within it.