p21 nov28 25/11/08 14:49 Page 1
ttglive.com
cruise news
Early launch buoys Viking bookings
Lee Hayhurst.
VIKING River Cruises has claimed it is well on the
way to beating the downturn, as the early launch
of next year’s programme, in June, has led to
65% of capacity for 2009 already being sold.
The US river cruise giant, which two years ago
established itself in the UK by buying Travel
Renaissance Holidays, plans to launch even
earlier next year.
Chairman Graham Clubb said he was pleased
with the performance, with only some tactical Viking River Cruises has sold 65% of its capacity for 2009 after launching the programme several months before its rivals
promotions required for the remainder of the
2009 capacity. However, buoyed by the performance this meaning they were unaffected by the recession
“This year, we were operating like the airlines, year, he said he wanted Viking to launch earlier and planned their trips well in advance.
offering major price benefits at the beginning in 2009 than this year. Many rivals launched The UK and Germany are the operator’s largest
rather than at the end of the sales period – their 2009 programmes only last month. markets behind the US. Club said he expected
upfront savings if you book early,” he said. “We are going to be even earlier in 2009,” said the percentage of inventory dedicated to Euro-
Clubb sounded a cautious note over how the Clubb. “If I have my way, it will be April. There pean sailings to rise, as the US economy suffers.
downturn in US consumer spending may affect will be a good incentive to book early.” Viking sells 50% of its cruises through agents.
Viking sales, as bosses may look to the UK to fill He added that typical river cruise customers The operator works with about 50 agents, with
unsold capacity next year. were 65-plus and owned their own homes, Thomas Cook and Bath Travel its top sellers.
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