Edie Rodriguez, president & CEO, Crystal Cruises highlights the immense potential of the luxury cruise tourism segment in the India market.
What is your perception of the India market in terms of growth potential for luxury cruise tourism (leisure/ MICE)?
There is only upside potential for the India market for increased luxury cruise sales both for leisure and MICE. There is great opportunity to encourage guests to upgrade from the premium experience to luxury as Crystal finds that 80 per cent of new to Crystal guests have either never done a cruise before, or are ‘moving up’ from a premium experience. Crystal offers several choices for MICE groups with our fleet of midsize and small vessels, including the 62 guest luxury yacht Crystal Esprit, our 154 berth Crystal Mozart river yacht and sailing the seven seas Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, carrying 922 and 1070 guests respectively.
What has been the brand strategy for Crystal in India?
Our focus includes the pillars of our 25 plus years of being the world’s best with the position of offering service, space, quality and choices. As the world’s most luxurious hospitality and lifestyle brand portfolio, Crystal combines personalised service with world class travel experiences that can take you all over the globe by land, sea, and air.
Which interesting new destinations and experiences are you looking to promote in India ?
The India market for luxury is keen on Mediterranean and Alaska voyages. Now through October 2017, Crystal Esprit will sail 7- and 14-day itineraries through the Mediterranean before transitioning to her new route through the West Indies. Crystal Symphony will also sail the Mediterranean, on a 14-day sailing this October, while Crystal Serenity will sail the region multiple times in 2018.
Crystal Serenity spends her summers in Alaska, sailing 7-10 day itineraries.
What has been the focus of your engagement with the Indian travel trade?
We recently hosted a number of agent training seminars and continue to educate travel partners of the exceptional value of Crystal.
With the Indian government looking at developing India as a cruising destination, are you considering bringing any of your ships here?
We have port calls scheduled in India for Mangalore and Mumbai in 2018, and our ships are always chasing the sun around the globe so we have no plans to homeport. Our guest base is curious to explore all regions of the world and try new destinations from the luxury of a Crystal vessel.