Workforce issues across a number of areas, including in the travel agency community, are the biggest challenges facing the cruise sector right now, according to panellists at the Cruise 360 conference in Sydney.

Steve Odell, senior vice-president and managing director, Asia Pacific of Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises, says some of his biggest concerns are around the distribution channel.

Travel advisors should not be afraid to throw crazy ideas at their past clients and give them a nudge to travel again of they are hesitant, delegates at the Cruise Lines International Association’s (CLIA’s) Cruise 360 conference in Sydney recently were told.

The Baltic Sea provides agents with options for repeat cruise clients who may already have visited the Pacific, Caribbean, Mediterranean and other ‘first choices’ from the Australasian market, attendees at the pre Cruise360 product and destination showcase heard.

• At the CLIA executive partner... At the CLIA executive partner...
• Jacqueline Kennedy, Pauline McLennan, Jeff... Jacqueline Kennedy, Pauline McLennan, Jeff...
• Julie Primmer, helloworld (Australia); flanked... Julie Primmer, helloworld (Australia); flanked...
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The travel behaviour and buying habits of Gen Zers and Millennials makes them ideal candidates for cruise – and for travel advisers to point them in that direction, says Ellen Bettridge, president and CEO of Uniworld Boutique River Collection and U River Cruises.

• Mandy Herd, YOU Travel Orewa;... Mandy Herd, YOU Travel Orewa;...
• Fiona Taimana, First Travel Group;... Fiona Taimana, First Travel Group;...
• Loretta Abernethy, Destination HQ; Jeff... Loretta Abernethy, Destination HQ; Jeff...
• Vikki Rabe, Cruise Traveller, with... Vikki Rabe, Cruise Traveller, with...
• Jill Ryan, helloworld Orewa (second... Jill Ryan, helloworld Orewa (second...
• Donna Hill of helloworld Mairangi... Donna Hill of helloworld Mairangi...
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A record number of 90 New Zealand travel agents attended Cruise360 in Sydney late last week – reinforcing the country’s status as having one of the fastest growth rates in the world when it comes to cruise passengers.

Travel agents have been urged to embrace ‘shared story telling’ as a key part of their marketing on social media.

Providing one on one experiences and opportunities to meet real Queenslanders are among the priorities for Tourism and Events Queensland, delegates at the Cruise 360 – Cruise Destination Showcase heard late last week.

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia has expanded this year’s Cruise360 Australasia conference to include interactive discussions and workshops as well as a range of keynote addresses from international cruise executives.
The event this year is being held at the Hyatt Regency Sydney on 25 August, and will be followed by an inspection of the latest addition to P&O Cruises’ fleet, Pacific Explorer, the following day.
Managing director Joel Katz says delegates will now have a choice of educational breakout sessions, designed to help boost their business.