Australia continues to be Holland America Line’s No. 2 source market

Archbold said Australia continues to be HAL’s No. 2 source market after North America and that local sales keep on growing in leaps and bounds.

‘HAL really suits the Australian market,’ he said.

Modern explorers

Orlando Ashford, Holland America Line’s president who was keynote speaker at the Summit, described today’s passengers as ‘modern explorers’ who are looking for unique experiences.

Ashford said Australia’s long holidays are perfect for HAL’s fly/float products to some of the world’s most exotic and remote destinations.

He said the company continues to forge valuable partnerships, like the one it has with Oprah Winfrey and ‘O, The Oprah Magazine.’ He revealed he will be one of only 172 men, travelling with 2,131 women on Winfrey’s ‘Girls’ Getaway’ to the Bahamas next January aboard Nieuw Statendam, which she will christen.

Also at the Summit, P&O Cruises Australia launched short breaks for 2020.

1980s cruises and country music festivals

President Sture Myrmell said the company is offering new 1980s cruises and country music festivals in response to a growing demand from the market.

Myrmell said the trend for shorter getaways is supported by data from market research agency Kantar which revealed more than half of Australians who travel domestically would choose a short break no longer than three nights.

He said since 2012 the number of passengers taking a three- or four-night P&O cruise has tripled. This year 10 more short breaks were put in the marketplace — 117 in total, up from 107 in 2016.