IN Sydney this week, the exec team from Aqua Expeditions updated media at a function last night on the plans for the brand within the market.
Francesco Zugaro, ceo of Aqua Expeditions told CW the timing was right for a more aggressive play within the market having recently appointed Travel The World as GSA (CW 06 Sep) to head up sales, marketing, reservations and training.
Conceding a better job would need to be done educating agents on the differences the brand offers, Zugaro said that “to come in at the top end of the market we need a point of difference, we are the only operator to offer a 1:10 guide to guest ratio, we can customise shore excursions on the spot as we are not obliged to stop where other operators do under contractual obligations”.
As to the future, expansion is part of the plan but unlikely to be the Irrawaddy River in Burma.
“We’re looking to get back to our roots with coastal cruising driven largely by the demand from our repeat customers”, with Zugaro also hinting at the possibly of cruises within Africa.
Pictured are: David Thompson, consulting chef Aqua Expeditions; Francesco Zugaro, ceo Aqua Expeditions and Milly Haimberger, director of sales and marketing Aqua Expeditions.
