Can Seabourn save the day in Greece?

mercedes · April 9, 2009

A Greek tourism official is predicting a big decline in cruise passengers in that country this year – a 20% decrease in overall demand with luxury cruise bookings down 50%, based on what's currently on the books.

"Unless this fall is checked, it will probably mean three million fewer tourists," Nikos Angelopoulos, chairman of the SETE Greek tourism association, says in an Agence France Presse article. The impact on Greece, he predicted, will be at least $6.68 billion in lost revenue and the loss of tens of thousands of jobs.

But wait, maybe Seabourn will save the day. Bruce Good, spokesman for the ultra-luxury line, says bookings in the first quarter are up, and they are ready to predict the soon-to-debut Seabourn Odyssey, and the line's other three vessels in Europe this summer, will be 100% full.

More key to Seabourn, which enjoys a 50% repeat guest rate, is that bookings by first-time Seabourn guests are up 67% for the first three months of this year over last.

Of course, Good is the first to admit that discounts of as much as 65% played a factor. "It's easy to understand why it's starting to move," Good said. "Part of it is the promotion we're doing and part of it is the Odyssey."

He added, "What we're doing is filling the ships." Good said the debut cruise of the Seabourn Odyssey in June was officially sold out today.

Greece needs to understand people are booking closer in to the time they plan to travel, Good said. "Tell Greece to hang in there. We're going to bring some people."

JoeyandDavid · April 9, 2009

Greece needs to understand people are booking closer in to the time they plan to travel, Good said. "Tell Greece to hang in there. We're going to bring some people."

and hopefully they will bring money