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Unforgettable Croatia targets the Australian marketUnforgettable Croatia targets the Australian market

Australia currently accounts for 15% of the passenger base for the luxury small-ship operator.

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Graham Carter, aboard an Unforgettable Croatia ship, is planning a familiarisation trip for Australian agents next year PHOTO: UNFORGETTABLE CROATIA

Revenue and bookings in Australia were both up almost 50% for Unforgettable Croatia’s May-October 2024 season.

This reaffirms that Australia accounts for 15% of the passenger base for the luxury small-ship operator.

CCO Graham Carter said further growth from Australia is expected, with European travel specialist Aurore Bertomeu having transferred to Melbourne.

Familiarisation trips

Carter said Unforgettable Croatia hosted an inaugural trade familiarisation in August when agents and partners sailed on a four-night Dalmatian Coast voyage from Dubrovnik to Split.

He said the company is planning a second familiarisation in July to offer Australian agents the opportunity to experience the product.

Occupancy up on higher capacity

Global bookings through the trade increased by 24% in 2024, a record-breaking year.

Unforgettable Croatia also achieved its highest occupancy rate of 99.21%. This was alongside a total capacity increase of 20% to 2,288 — up from 1,905 in 2023.

New ship

As earlier reported here, the 36-passenger Aretis will launch next year, taking the fleet to six, with a total of 2,500 cabins.

Aretis will offer 19 seven-night departures between Dubrovnik and Split from June 7 to October 11.

About the Authors

Anne Kalosh

Editor, Seatrade Cruise News & Senior Associate Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review

Anne Kalosh covers global stories, reporting both breaking and in-depth news on cruising's significant people, places, ships and trends. A sought-after expert on cruising, she has moderated conferences around the world, including the high-profile State of the Industry panel at Seatrade Cruise Global. She created and led the acclaimed itinerary-planning case study for Seatrade's cruise master classes held at Cambridge and Oxford universities. She has been the cruise columnist for AFAR.com, and her freelance stories have appeared in a wide range of publications, from The New York Times to The Miami Herald.

Helen Hutcheon

Australasia correspondent

Helen Hutcheon did her cadetship on a shipping magazine and worked in P&O’s Sydney office for seven years as a public relations journalist.

For 19 years she was deputy editor of Travel Week, which was Australia’s leading trade newspaper that covered major local and international industry events.

In 2008 the late legendary Rama Rebbapragada presented her with an award from Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd ‘in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the cruising industry.’

In 2010 she won the Neil Frazer Award for ‘outstanding contribution to the cruise industry,’ elevating her to CLIA Australasia’s hall of fame.

She has been the Australasia correspondent for Seatrade Cruise Review since 1997 and for Seatrade Insider (now Seatrade Cruise News) since its launch in 2000.

 

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