POINTE BLANCHE,– Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mark Mingo says marketing efforts need to be stepped up in the German market as that market is the fastest growing market in cruise passengers in Europe and will become the biggest market in Europe.
This is one of the main trends in cruise tourism that he learnt from attending Seatrade Europe, the leading meeting place for the Cruise, Ferry, Rivercruise and Superyacht industries, held from September 15-17 at the Hamburg Messe Fairground in Germany.
The European cruise market overall grew by 10 per cent in 2008, with 4.3 million taking a cruise. Germans represent the second largest group that takes a cruise, with the United Kingdom being the first. However, Germans spend two times more than their British counterparts.
Ninety per cent of Germans book via travel agents and make their reservations six months in advance.
“Germany plays a significant role in the global cruise market sector stretching from participation in new ships being constructed, vessel repairs, ownership and management to name a few.
“Germany is the second largest source market for cruise passengers in Europe with an estimated 907,000 residents having purchased a cruise in 2008. We need to spend more money in the German market especially where stay-over visitors are concerned,” Mark Mingo pointed out.
One of the leading German owners of ocean tonnage includes AIDA Cruises. The number one German brand is AIDA Cruises which claimed almost 40 per cent of the German domestic market in 2008.
AIDA will be making 10 calls to the Port of St. Maarten for the 2009/10 cruise season. TUI Cruises, a joint venture between TUI AG and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., entered the market in May, and will also be making calls to St. Maarten.
Mingo was accompanied by Supervisory Board Chairman Michel Soons and Cruise Manager Nzinga Lake who also attended Seatrade Europe.