“LET’S beat the prices
offered by OTAs.”
This was the message
conveyed at a recent Cruises
International brochure
launch event, hosted at
Starbucks in Melrose Arch.
The cruise company was
responding to agents’
concerns that quotes
on Royal Caribbean
International packages
seemed to be more
expensive than those
clients were sourcing
through international online
channels.
Thaybz Khan, head
of product at Cruises
International, told agents
this was a misperception
and that they had a better
shot at getting a good price
for clients if they consulted
with Cruises International.
“Consumers book tickets
online through agents that
are not based in South
Africa. When they do, the
whole travel industry loses
out on the commission,”
says George Argyropoulos,
ceo of Cruises International.
Cruises International has
put measures in place to
guarantee a price match, he
says. “If you find a cheaper
quote through an OTA or a
foreign travel provider, we’ll
match it,” George says.
“The unfortunate
perception is that these
deals are better. Clients
think they are being
presented with a better
package, which is not true,”
says George. “The way a
price is presented may make
it seem lower, when often a
number of costs are hidden.
Actually, quite often we have
lower prices than what you
can find online.”
Booking through direct
online agents opens
consumers up to risk, he
says. “The level of service is
not the same. Clients have
no recourse if something
happens. They’re quite
exposed.”
Cruises International also
offers a non-refundable
deposit pricing strategy, says
George. “The cruise fare is
lower than what it would be
on a refundable deposit. In
the case of cancellations,
the passenger will be given
a cruising voucher to rebook
with Royal Caribbean in
future.”
