‘We want to be seen more in India’

Costa Cruises has strengthened its presence in India by introducing a new team of four preferred sales agents. This strategic expansion of its distribution channel aims to seamlessly cater to both incentive and leisure markets, unlocking India’s vast and largely untapped potential for cruising.

Hazel Jain

With India being a high potential market for Costa Cruises, Mirco Vassallo, the International Sales Director of the company, was in India to announce their strategic decision to expand their distribution network by appointing three new cruise specialists as their preferred sales agents, taking the total to four. They are Rayna Tours, Sharaf Travel, and Cruise Carrot, in addition to Lotus Aero Enterprise that was already representing Costa in the country.

With these four preferred sales agents, Costa Cruises aims at offering its cruises to both the incentive market and to those customers who prefer an international style holiday and want to explore Europe by visiting different countries and destinations in a one single voyage.

Elaborating on the development, Vassallo says, “Through this collaboration, we will be able to introduce more Indian guests to our product proposition. I am here to meet the travel agents and learn more about this incredible market. We want to understand the potential it offers to us and how we can make available our products to the trade here. We want to be more accessible and easier to be sold cruise product in this market in next three years. India market has a huge potential, and we see an increase in demand from corporate and leisure segments.”

Speaking about 2024, Vassallo says it was a really good year for the cruise company. “We registered huge demand from all our sales region. One out of every 10 guests was coming from our international market, particularly India and the Middle East. For India, we are focussed on promoting our bestseller – the season on Emirates where we provide tailored entertainment and Indian food with an international touch. We want to be an experience-based company. Our focus, therefore, will not only be on the itinerary but also the experiences we offer with an extended culinary offering, and introducing innovative sea and land experiences,” he explains.

Nalini Gupta, Owner and General Manager, Lotus Aero Enterprise, says, “As Costa Cruises’ General Sales Agent in India for over a decade, our dedication and innovative strategies have not only fostered significant presence of Costa brand but have also inspired other ocean liners to explore the opportunities within the Indian market. Costa Serena for us personally was a big win because for the first time we were able to bring India on the cruising map of Costa.”