Celestyal team L-R: Mary Williams, Lee Haslett, Stewart Williams, Janet Parton
Cruise executives have unveiled ambitious growth plans aimed at doubling bookings in the Australian market.
Two of Celestyal’s bosses flew into Sydney this week to attend CRUISE360 and map out the company’s strategic targets to travel agents, distribution partners and media.
Chief Commercial Officer Lee Haslett and Vice President Business Development Janet Parton flew down from their head office in the UK.
“Australia is a key growth market for Celestyal – we have ambitious plans to double Australian bookings next year and our travel agent partners are critical to our growth plans, with the vast majority of our business coming via our trade channels,” said Mr Haslett.
“Through our dedicated trade team and investment in the market we’re confident we can work with our agent partners to achieve this target.
“We’re also investing in our training and engagement platforms offering new tools, assets and incentives to ensure our agent partners have everything they need to sell Celestyal cruises.”
Following a panel appearance at Cruise360, where Lee discussed the importance of new-to-cruise customers, the two executives took media on a ‘Taste of Celestyal’ tour with Gourmet Safaris in Sydney.
Along with Stewart Williams, Celestyal Regional Manager, and Mary Williams, Australian Business Development Manager, the pair also hosted more than 20 partners and industry stalwarts at a lavish dinner at Crown Sydney’s Woodcut restaurant.
To top off their Sydney visit, the duo spent a final evening at the Sydney Opera House, toasting top selling travel agents at Opera Bar before taking them to see Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard in the Joan Sutherland theatre.
“We think Celestyal is the perfect product for Aussies and they will come back again and again once they experience our destination-rich itineraries, our relaxed and fun onboard atmosphere, our authentic ‘insider’ shore experiences, and our affordable and value-packed way to cruise the Aegean, Adriatic and Arabian Gulf.”
