Lion Travel (2731) is ramping up efforts in the cruise tourism market. Nearly 90% of the two exclusive sailings for the "Majestic Princess Cherry Blossom Tour" in March and April next year have already been sold. This time, targeting the family segment, the company has partnered with Costa Cruises to add three new sailings to Okinawa and Miyako Island in February and March. General Manager You Guozhen expects Lion Travel’s cruise revenue next year to grow by 33%, reaching as high as NT$660 million, accounting for up to 40% of its themed travel offerings.
You Guozhen pointed out that this year, Lion Travel offered exclusive voyages on Princess Cruises’ Sapphire, Costa Cruises’ Fortuna, and Costa neoRomantica, with the number of available cruise sailings continuously increasing. The estimated number of passengers served is expected to reach 22,000–23,000, a significant jump from 14,000 last year. The company anticipates that themed travel revenue for this year will hit NT$1.4 billion, of which cruises will contribute around NT$500 million—about one-third of the total.
Looking ahead to next year, Lion Travel will continue to push forward in the cruise tourism sector. The two exclusive sailings of the Majestic Princess for cherry blossom tours in March and April have already achieved 90% sales to date. In addition, there will be three sailings on Costa Fortuna in January, cruise alliance sales from April to July, and sailings on the Sun Princess from July to September. The cruise schedule up to the end of September next year has been largely finalized.
According to a 2017 survey by Lion Travel’s Tourism Industry Research Center, the primary age groups traveling with Costa Cruises are retirees or seniors aged 40–70, and children under 12. There is a year-on-year increase in the family segment, indicating that Costa Cruises' focus on family travelers and its diverse range of entertainment facilities suitable for all ages are driving growth in families choosing cruise vacations.
Lion Travel has partnered with Costa Cruises’ neoRomantica to add three new sailings on February 23, February 27, and March 3, offering five-day itineraries to Okinawa, Ishigaki Island, and Miyako Island. These are priced affordably to attract families, and include a free cabin fee for children under 12. For a family of four, the early bird price averages around NT$7,000 per person, making it appealing for short-duration family trips.
You Guozhen noted that the addition of these sailings is mainly due to February being a relatively quiet travel period, and because the Lunar New Year falls in mid-February next year, followed by the 228 Peace Memorial Day holiday. There remains strong demand for travel. Although the neoRomantica is only a 57,000-ton mid-sized premium ship, it is fully equipped and capable of docking directly at Ishigaki and Miyako Islands, saving boarding time and facilitating access for passengers with mobility issues.
You Guozhen expects that the two exclusive Majestic Princess Cherry Blossom Tour sailings will alone contribute NT$500 million in cruise revenue once fully booked, matching this year's full-year figure. Coupled with contributions from other cruise programs, the company anticipates next year’s cruise revenue could grow by 33% to as much as NT$660 million, making up to 40% of themed travel revenue, and helping drive next year’s overall themed travel revenue to NT$1.7 billion.
(Times News Information)