Cruise industry predictions released by the Cruise Line Industry Association (CLIA) earlier this year indicate that a growth in global cruise capacity (forecast to increase by nineteen percent between 2022 and 2028) is expected to be met by an ongoing surge in demand for cruise travel.
With this in mind, the House of Travel Group (the parent company of TravelManagers) has launched a new, group-wide cruise strategy to ensure it is well-resourced to capitalise on the sector’s immense potential for expansion.
Bruce Parton, who is House of Travel New Zealand CEO and chair of House of Travel Australia, is today announcing a newly created, joint cruise product and wholesale team which will be led by Jeff Leckey in the role of general manager cruise – Australasia.
“Jeff brings decades of experience within the cruise sector to his new role,” Parton explained.
“Including six years as House of Travel’s New Zealand-based cruise general manager. Under his tenure, House of Travel became the leading cruise retailer in New Zealand in 2018 – a position which it retains to this day.”
Joe Araullo, CEO of House of Travel Australia, said he is equally excited by the opportunities presented by the new strategy, noting that it will provide both brands with creative product and marketing programmes that stand out from the crowd.
“House of Travel Group’s new cruise strategy is an indication of its commitment to the cruise sector,” he pointed out, “and will allow us to capitalise on the combined volumes and expertise we already have. There is massive potential for growth, and we’re excited to enter this next phase in building our cruise business.”
TravelManagers’ cruise product manager, Lia Malone, is also joining the new team, which is tasked with developing outstanding cruise product that will be taken to market through the House of Travel’s and TravelManagers’ networks of travel advisors.
“I am thrilled to be working with Lia and the amazing team of cruise experts we have assembled on both sides of the Tasman,” Leckey states. “As an organisation, we have totally embraced cruise and we are looking forward to capitalising on the ever-increasing number of Kiwis and Aussies who are excited by the concept of cruise holidays.”
(Featured Image: Joe Araullo – CEO House of Travel Australia)
