CRUISING sales continue
to grow among travellers,
especially in South Africa.
MSC Cruises recently
reported a 35% growth in the
current season while other
companies, such as Cruises
International, Triton Cape Sea
Travel and Cruise Vacations,
are reporting that sales have
increased in great numbers.
“The consistent growth in
this sector is testament to
cruising remaining one of
South Africans’ best value and
favourite holiday choices in
these tough economic times,”
says Allan Foggitt, director
of sales and marketing, MSC
Cruises SA. “The current rand
exchange rate with the dollar
and euro makes a local cruise
a popular holiday choice.”
“The cruising industry has
continued to grow year on year
as the value in a cruise holiday
is being recognised by our
established cruising market as
well as by our first-time cruise
guests. We have also noticed
guests switching over to more
luxury cruising over the last
few years and guests are also
getting younger,” says Tracey
Krog, commercial manager for
Cruises International.
Sales and marketing
manager for Triton Cape Sea
Travel, Ian Mathews, says:
“More and more families are
opting for a cruising holiday as
it offers good value for money
and is a safe way to travel.”
Cruise Vacations has
recorded significant growth
across its products in the
last five years, particularly for
luxury cruising. Gm, Gaynor
Neill, says: “My understanding
is that cruising is the fastest
growing travel sector globally
and South Africa is following
suit with the rest of the world.
Most major cruise lines are
represented locally, which
makes it convenient for
clients.”
Tracey adds that today,
cruise ships offer an array of
feature-rich innovative facilities,
amenities and services,
accommodating family
members of all generations.
Cruising holidays also cater
for solo travellers, with more
and more ships offering studio
cabins and lounges or bars
that are for solo travellers only,
explains Ian.
Gaynor says that while there
are always the predictable
bookings for popular
destinations, they are
seeing more and more
requirements for off-thebeaten-track
travel.
