Ark Travels has strengthened its ties with Norwegian Cruise Lines Holdings (NCLH). As a preferred sales agent (PSA) for Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) over the last many years, Ark Travels will now promote and sell upper premium and ultra-luxury segments in the India market. Meanwhile, NCL Star and Oceania Nautica made their way for the first time to Mumbai Port after 13 years. The port will also welcome Seven Seas Voyager, a first cruise-ship of Regent Seven Seas brand to be docked on any Indian port on December 6, 2016.
Starting this holiday season, the 20-year old travel firm will leverage its pan-India network of 300 plus travel agents to sell NCL Holdings Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, targeting the upper premium and ultra-luxury clientele. The current product portfolio of Ark Travels for NCL Cruises include NCL Epic, NCL Pearl, NCL Jade, NCL Jewel, NCL Getaway, NCL Star and NCL Sky.
The newly christened initiatives by both these companies will see jointly planned roadshows and presentation, familiarisation trips for sub-agents, marketing collaterals and joint meetings to attract corporate clients from India.
Felix Chan, VP, sales, NCLH said, “We have had a very successful partnership with Ark Travels in promoting and selling NCL. Moving forward, we will strengthen our partnership with Ark Travels across contemporary, upper premium, and ultra-luxury segments in India. Our joint education and promotional efforts with Ark Travels will be more important than ever, as most Indian consumers have not yet fully realised the value and benefits of luxury cruising. I look forward to exploring these new business opportunities with Ark Travels together in the coming months.”
“Ark Travels is already our top agent for NCL in India. Put it simply, I want Ark Travels to be our top agent for Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises as well. ARK Travels needs to focus on the upper premium and ultra-luxury segments in India in order to sell Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises effectively. We need to work with Ark Travel together to reach out to a niche segment of sub-agents who have proven track record in reaching out to desired clientele in India,” added Chan.
“NCLH’s Oceania Cruises and Reagent Seven Seas will work as icing on cake for Ark Travels product portfolio. As we are all geared to welcome the upcoming holiday season, we anticipate a 15 per cent increase in inquiries for NCLH products as compared to last year. NCLH group’s fleet of 20 cruise ships along with our existing cruise and resort products will further cement our position in the luxury cruise and holiday segment in India,” stated Kishan Biyani, MD, Ark Travels.
