Speaking ahead of Clia Cruise Week (16-22 September), Harmer hailed the industry’s post-Covid resurgence and highlighted the ever-increasing number of agency members, which stood at “less than 450” in 2013 when he became director of Clia UK and Ireland.
“People now have Cruise Week in their calendar and cruise lines make plans for it,” Harmer told TTG. “Previously, we put a lot of emphasis on activity in January and February each year, but that has changed.
“Cruise Week marks the end of the summer season, but also marks the moment when the majority of guests start to book for the following year.”
Harmer added: “When we first announced Cruise Week in 2008, our focus was on events, but it has really evolved since 2020. Cruise Week is really saying to the audience that the louder we shout, the more we can talk to holidaymakers who have never cruised before.
“Cruise is having its moment right now. Its breadth of products is wider than it’s ever been and so is the number of agents. Currently, 10,000 agent members access our website across 4,400 agencies. When I joined Clia, we had less than 450 agencies."
Harmer also noted the sales opportunities for cruise lines and cruise-selling agents alike. “71% of consumers who have never cruised before are open to taking their first cruise,” he explained.
When asked how Clia accommodates new-to-cruise agents at its conference events, Harmer said: “A couple of years ago, we identified the need to offer a wider range of sessions to accommodate agents coming into the sector. We’ve now bolted on different events to the main cruise programme which are aimed at new-to-cruise agents.”
Harmer confirmed there would be another “new-to-cruise selling day” at the Clia Conference in May 2025. That event attracted around 200 agents this year.
“There are new people coming into the industry all the time,” added Harmer.
