After an absence of five years in the retail travel landscape, Cruiseabout has opened its first store – in Western Australia.
Recent Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) data showed that cruise holidays have become more popular than ever among Aussies.
And Flight Centre Travel Group’s (FCTG) dedicated cruise business will look to leverage that demand – starting with the new Cruiseabout store in Westfield Whitford City in Perth, followed by bricks and mortar stores in Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.
Brad Kennedy, who was appointed General Manager of Cruiseabout earlier this year, said the brand would present a unique proposition to Aussie holidaymakers, with a national physical presence and online offering.
“We’re doing something that’s unique here in Australia. Our national retail network of specialist cruise experts, local call centre and online marketplace will give customers something they’ve been missing out on,” he said.
“With record cruising numbers globally and the average age of cruisers decreasing, the pipeline of future cruisers is strong.
“We want to help new and experienced cruisers alike have the best experience by providing expert advice and offering industry-leading rates and exclusive experiences to Cruiseabout customers.
“We’re not just a travel agency, we’re a community of passionate cruisers who want to share our love of the industry.”
Flight Centre Travel Group Global Leisure CEO James Kavanagh said cruising, one of the fastest-growing global travel sectors, will play a vital role in FCTG’s plans.
“Today’s store opening in Perth signals the beginning of an exciting chapter for Flight Centre Travel Group as we invest in our strategy to grow market share in the cruise sector,” he remarked.
“Cruising is firing on all cylinders and it’s showing no signs of slowing down.”
According to CLIA, Australia is the world’s fourth largest cruise market, with 1.25 million Australians taking an ocean cruise during 2023, up from 1.24 million in 2019. The top cruising destinations among Aussies are Australia/New Zealand/South Pacific (84.8 per cent of cruisers), the Mediterranean (5.3 per cent) and Asia (2.5 per cent).
Meanwhile, global ocean cruise passengers hit a record 31.7 million in 2023, surpassing 29.7 million in 2019.
FCTG announced the relaunch of the Cruiseabout brand in Australia in August 2023.
At the same time, it revealed plans for a dedicated wholesale cruise division, CruiseHQ, which officially launched last month.
For more information about the new FCTG cruise brand, visit www.cruiseabout.com.au.
