MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chileans take advantage of cruise ship deals

Next big cruise liner sale scheduled for August 8

Chilean tourism agencies are now selling cruise-ship packages at heavily discounted prices to combat the drop in sales brought on by the worldwide economic crisis.
Two weeks ago Corte Ingles Travel held an overnight sale auction on their cruises, attended by more than 200 people.

They sold off one week Caribbean cruise packages, all included, for US$600 and tickets on cruises bound for Europe and Asia at 70 percent off.

Their next big cruise liner sale will take place on August 8.

“We had to try the concept (of overnight sales) . . . which have proven to be extremely popular in other countries,” said Corte Ingles development manager Marcelo Perez, who said the special sales effort would be repeated next year.

While special promotions are no stranger to the tourism industry, the concept of an overnight sale is crossing over into department store territory.

Other tour agencies, not wanting to be left behind, are also selling their cruise tickets at heavily discounted rates to cope with the scarcity of passengers.

For example, Cocha Tourism is promoting an all-included cruise to Scandinavia and Russia at US$99 a day, and an eight-day cruise bound for Panama, Cartagena de Indias and Aruba for US$360.

For US$155 Falabella Travel is selling tickets for four-day cruises in the Bahamas, all meals and on-board entertainment included.

Paula Fernandez, Internet Manager at Cocha Tourism, says the trend to drop prices in the face of low demand is logical.

“If an airline or hotel or cruise liner sees that there is less demand than expected for a specific route on a specific date, for just a few days they promote lower tariffs for that ticket,” she said.

According to the Superior Tourism Council (CONSETUR) Chile will experience a 40 percent drop in cruise ship tourism throughout 2009.

The cruise ship industry reports that the economic crisis is to blame for the drop in passengers (ST, April24)