Jackie DeAngelis from FOX Business looks at how the cruise industry is changing the way they operate and how it attracts travelers amid the coronavirus. Later, the president of Payne Capital, Ryan Payne, evaluates investing in travel and hospitality companies.
Demand for small boat and river cruises is on the rise amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to a recent survey of nearly 500 travel agents by the Scenic Group.
The survey found that more than 60 percent of travel consultants reported that river cruises account for 25-50 percent of all bookings, while 75 percent saw 250-passenger small boat cruise bookings or fewer grow up to 25 percent of their cruise business.
Scenic gem in Caudebec-en-Caux. (Photo via Gillies Zaiser / Scenic Group)
While cruises and tours in North America lead the rest of 2020, the survey finds a shift to northern Europe and the Arctic regions in 2021.
NORWAY CRUISE LINE SEARCH $ 1,175B TO NAVIGATE CORONAVIRUSES
Fifty-five percent of travel agents surveyed said their customers’ top three concerns are related to security concerns surrounding COVID-19, including the “need to know the ship’s response protocols for any outbreak. on board “,” knowing the proactive security measures of the cruise line “. to avoid outbreaks “and” how the onboard experience, including food service, will change. “
Additionally, surveyed agents reported that more than 34 percent of their customers want to convert canceled or suspended vacation reservations into a small boat cruise, followed by independent travel at 30 percent. Agents noted that clients also look for peace of mind when it comes to flexibility in booking and when it will be safe to re-navigate.
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The findings come as the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Thursday that they will extend their Prohibition of Navigation Order until September in response to the pandemic.
| Heart | Security | Latest | Change | Change% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCLH | NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE HOLDINGS LTD. | 15.27 | -0.34 | -2.18% |
| RCL | REAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES | 53.14 | -0.80 | -1.48% |
| CCL | CORP. CARNIVAL | 15.47 | -0.31 | -1.96% |
According to the new CDC order, there have been a total of 2,973 cases of coronavirus, or coronavirus-like illness, and 34 deaths on cruise ships between March 1 and July 10.
The order added that 80 percent of cruises in US waters were affected by the coronavirus during that time period and that nine other cruises are dealing with or resolving outbreaks on board.
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