Hotels take to the seas

THERE has always been an interesting relationship between the cruise industry and the accommodation sector.

Some hotel groups have found cruising to be an unwelcome “bedfellow” providing revenue competition. This thinking has been encouraged by some of the industry associations which are overly protective of the traditional hotel room income.

More progressive hoteliers have viewed the cruise industry as an opportunity worth embracing and have enjoyed the resulting benefits that a pre- or post-cruise stay can bring them. We often hear stories of international travellers combining a land based stay and a cruise experience deeming them highly complementary.

We have also seen cruise lines play a critical support role around attractions. Not only do they bring extra attendees to the Australian Open tennis in Melbourne or Dark MOFO in Hobart but also provide overflow accommodation options. Forward thinking state tourism organisations welcome this opportunity.

As such it was exciting to see the news this week that luxury accom provider, Ritz-Carlton, is launching a high end yacht collection slated to enter the US cruise market in 2019.

Finding that many of their guests were also cruise passengers, the group decided that the offering made perfect sense. They also believe that the luxury cruise market is on a growth curve and the Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection will fit perfectly into that space.

We welcome this hybrid approach and hope to see similar activity in this market in the years to come.