Australia soars for Azamara ahead of local debut

Australia soars for Azamara ahead of local debut
By admin


Azamara's success in the local market has seen Australia emerge as the cruise line's second largest source market, with its first Australian sailing still over 18 months away.

The local “love affair” with the product is due to the Aussie passion for travelling the world, according to president and chief executive Larry Pimentel.

“It is a product that’s about where we take people and Australians love exploring the world,” he told Travel Today. “They love touching cultures through food, through drink and through experiences.”

He identified the cruise line’s offer of overnight stays in a destination as a major drawcard, enabling Aussies to “truly experience” the culture.

“For example, think of the Spaniards who start dinner at 10pm – other ships are long gone by then,” Pimentel said.

“So the appeal to Australians is really the destinations and how you can experience them.”

Australians now represent 11% of the cruise line’s overall passengers, with Pimentel predicting that will grow to between 15% and 18% by 2016.

“The Australian market has grown tenfold in about four and a half years which is very impressive,” he said. “Australia is the largest growth market for us globally – yet we haven’t been here yet.”

The 694-passenger Azamara Quest will make the cruise line’s first visit Down Under as part of a 14-night voyage between December 22, 2015 and January 5, 2016.

Sales for the Australian itinerary have so far been “very well received”, Pimentel revealed.

“Bookings are going well. Guests are extremely eager to know what is happening after the Bali to Cairns voyage and we look forward to announcing details of the 2016 deployment in the future.”

Latest News

  • Aviation

Low-cost Indian carrier SpiceJet continues to burn cash

It’s not just low-cost Australian carriers that are facing hardship. SpiceJet, India’s version of Bonza, recently announced a 72 per cent reduction in its net loss versus last year. But, despite this improvement, the airline has posted losses for six straight years. But it has secured board approval to raise up to INR 30 billion […]

  • Attractions

SAKA Museum recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2024

AYANA Resort Bali’s newly-opened cultural and events centre, SAKA Museum has been recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places list for 2024. Part of AYANA Bali’s resort destination, the museum integrates Bali’s rich history with state-of-the-art facilities, making it the centrepiece for the island’s spiritual and cultural heritage. TIME magazine’s inclusion of SAKA Museum in […]

  • Cruise

Silversea taps Barbara Biffi as senior vice president for global sales

Ultra-luxury and expedition cruise travel brand, Silverseas, has announced Barbara Biffi as its new senior vice president of global sales. Biffi joined the company in 2007, holding numerous positions and gaining a deep understanding of the brand, the preferences of its guests and its strategic goals, the company said. An Italian national with a wealth […]

  • Technology
  • Travel Agents

Amadeus welcomes FCM Travel as new reseller partner of Cytric Easy

Cytric Easy, the travel management tool embedded in Microsoft Teams, is to be integrated into FCM Travel portfolio. Amadeus and FCM Travel have extended their Cytric distribution agreement to include Cytric Easy. With this new agreement, global travel management company FCM Travel, becomes a reseller of the innovative travel management collaboration solution embedded into Microsoft […]