Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) releases 2017 State of the Cruise Industry Outlook and Cruise Travel … – TravelDailyNews Asia

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Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) releases 2017 State of the Cruise Industry Outlook and Cruise Travel Trends Forecast

Tatiana Rokou – 20 December 2016, 00:15

Increase in cruise travel is expected to continue throughout 2017, with an estimated 25.3 million passengers expected to sail in 2017, a strong surge from 15.8 million just 10 years prior (2007).

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• New Generation Takes to the Water – A recent study found that younger generations—including Millennials and Generation X — will embrace cruise travel more than ever before, rating it as better than land-based holidays, all-inclusive resorts, tours, holiday house rentals, or camping.
• Travel Agent Use Increases – CLIA is forecasting that travel agents will continue to be the matchmakers between travellers and cruise lines in 2017. Today, there are more than 25,000 CLIA-member travel agents globally compared to 12,000 in 2010. CLIA also found that cruisers report high levels of satisfaction with their travel experience when assisted by an agent.
• River Cruise Demand Increases – River cruises offer travellers a unique and intimate travel experience. Due to demand, CLIA cruise line members currently deploy 184 river cruise ships with 13 new river cruise ships on order for 2017, an increase of about 7 per cent.
• More Private Islands on Cruise Itineraries – As more cruise lines introduce private island destinations, travellers are responding and booking these itineraries. In 2017, cruise lines offer ports on a total of seven private islands.
• New Cruisers Will Take to the Sea – Interest in ocean cruising is projected to remain strong in 2017.
• Drivable Port Locations in Favour – The cruise industry offers a variety of small and large market port location options across the United States and internationally. Citing the advantages of myriad Locations, seven out of ten (69 per cent) non-cruisers believe the greatest benefit is cost savings and three-quarters (74 per cent) of cruisers like the convenience of driving to a cruise ship.
• Lure of Celebrity Chefs – Cruise travellers are embracing specialty dining and will continue to consider cruise dining experiences based upon celebrity chefs.
• Demand for Expedition Cruises – According to the Adventure Travel Trade Association, adventure travel is growing at a record pace and CLIA is reporting that cruise expeditions are seeing the impact. In fact, itineraries for Antarctica regularly sell out.