Opportunity for SP cruising

A DVENTURE cruise operators and /\smaller luxury class ships offered the best prospects for cruising in the South Pacific, according to a report into the potential of the cruise industry.

The report has Just been released by former president and chief executive officer of Sitmar International and previously managing director of Sitmar Cruises Australasia Ted Blarney, in conjunction with Kyle and Associates of Los Angeles on commission from the Pacific Asia Travel Association. t*, , . A . r Blame X sald the c ™' s f; mdust y was a fast jS rowm g se . ct " of ' he p •**“! (^ vei f nar ket, and the bouth racitic had an important opportunity.

“But, given the long distances and high airfare costs involved in bringing passengers to the region, the greatest

prospects will be the adventure cruise operators and the smaller luxury class ships,” he said. “Both appeal to a market that is affluent, destination-driven and prepared to take vacations longer than the norm.”

Blarney said the available infrastruc tourist ]am and a i r ii nes were more suited tQ their sma n er passenger loads, The report includes a detailed review °f the world industry (past present and future); specific markets of interest to the SP (Japan, Europe and Australasia);

potential market developments; adven

tore cruising; and discussion of require ments to support cruise operations in the South Pacific. It is available from PATA’s Pacific Division in Sydney, phone 05612 3323599, fax 05612 3316592. O