World Travel Market Launches First-Ever Cruise Program

Cruise is the fastest growing sector of the travel industry with eight ships launched to the UK market alone this year, and a further 10 ships to go on sale in 2010.

Telegraph and Travel Weekly cruise correspondent Jane Archer has helped WTM organize the program, which includes a high-level panel debate involving some of the most senior cruise executives and a training session for travel agents. Archer will chair the panel debate which takes place on Tuesday November 10th from 12.30 to 1.30pm.

Speakers include Jo Rzymowska, Royal Caribbean Cruises Associate Vice-President and General Manager; Stephen Park, Norwegian Cruise Line UK General Manager; Andrew Magowan, Yachts of Seabourn Director EMEA, and Peter Pate, MSC Cruises Chairman.

The high-level panel will assess how cruising is weathering the financial storm and trends in the cruising industry. Key issues to be discussed include the growth in the number of younger people choosing to cruise and how to balance the requirements of people who want a traditional cruise with those looking for a more casual holiday at sea.

The panel will also look at future developments in the world of cruising, and analyzing demand for additional capacity beyond 2012, when the current boom in new ship orders ends. Will we continue to see new orders on this unprecedented scale, with 10 or more ships a year being launched?

Training presentations will be given by Debbee Dale, Association of Cruise Experts project manager; Michelle Russell, Royal Caribbean International training manager UK and Ireland, and Bob Dixon, senior sales manager at Complete Cruise Solution, which looks after P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Ocean Village Cunard.

World Travel Market Chairman Fiona Jeffery said: “Cruising is fast becoming a vital sector for the travel industry. Even in the current uncertain financial times the cruise industry has flourished with a host of new ships coming on the market.