DESPITE Silversea having cancelled voyages until at least the end of this month, Managing Director Asia Pacific Adam Radwanski has noted an improvement in demand.
The newly appointed local head recently told travelBulletin September was Silversea’s best-selling month compared to others that have been affected by the pandemic.
“2021 is likely to be more close-to-home and this is where we see most of our demand…Kimberley is flying off the shelf, it’s selling extremely well…which gives you the indication that as we get closer to a vaccine development there is more confidence,” he said.
“Our expedition product to Antarctica, the Arctic, Galapagos, is doing very well, because the customer base missed out on 2020 and now they’re booking for 2021 or 2022.”
Radwanski said the solid demand indicates there is a very strong future for luxury cruising — in which the travel trade would have an important part to play, especially given today’s fluid travel ecosystem.
“We see some demand in certain areas of the market and we’d love to help our travel partners to tap into that demand by developing specific plans.
“Relationships with travel agents will be really important and they will play an important part of the rebuild of demand in the cruise industry.
“Because of the nature of the changing environment, you won’t have the highly liberalised travel environment we’ve seen, for at least a year.
“Some countries will have restrictions, some will require a permit, some borders will be closed.
“The travel industry will transform themselves into experts in where customers can go, where the opportunities are, and cruise lines will certainly rely on trade distribution.
“There are a lot of tools we’ve enhanced and developed the past few months to help the cash-strapped and vulnerable trade industry to help them back onto their feet and start generating demand and much-needed income.”
Radwanski mentioned there were more developments and projects in the pipeline but didn’t provide details at this stage.
The former Qatar Airways Senior Manager Australasia is hoping to position Silversea as the “most-preferred” ultra-luxury cruise line, for both customers and trade partners.
An important step towards this was achieved late last month, when Silversea took delivery of its new ship Silver Moon, the third vessel built by Fincantieri for the brand and the ninth vessel to be added to the cruise line’s fleet.
A fourth Fincantieri-built vessel, Silver Dawn, will be on the way next year, with Radwanski expressing his excitement about the fleet updates the line is undertaking.
