Opening CruiseWorld Asia 2023, Travel Weekly’s editor in chief Arnie
Weissmann flashed alphanumeric characters on the screen and asked, “Do
you know what DRD4 means?”
The DRD4 is the novelty-seeking gene. According to researchers, those
who possess it are happiest when stimulated by something new and
different – something travellers and travel industry players would
typically have.
At CruiseWorld Asia 2023, Travel Weekly editor in chief Arnie Weissmann speaks about the value of cruising.
Weissmann joined OceanGate Expeditions on a Titanic expedition in May
2023, but weather disruptions led to trip cancellations just before the
tragic submersible implosion in June. Despite the sobering and
traumatic experience, Weissmann still values exploration, later
journeying to the North Pole on a luxury research vessel, encountering a
polar cub next to the ship.
Indeed, exploration, adventures and transformative experiences were
the exact sentiments mirrored by the panellists speaking on the art of
crafting personalised travel experiences – whether on land, air, or sea.
It’s the attention to detail
From left: Travel Weekly Asia’s Xinyi Liang-Pholsena; Stamford Travel’s Gina Tan; Best Tour and Cruise Centre’s Johnny Judianto; and Scott Dunn Asia’s Mike Harlow.
Today's travellers seek immersive and transformative journeys, which
is why for Scott Dunn Asia focuses on detailed, exclusive experiences
like private access to the pyramids of Giza for breakfast, after-hours
dinner at The Louvre, and even arranging meetings with the Pope,
according to general manager Mike Harlow.
Harlow emphasises the importance of flexibility, access, and contacts
to meet travellers' diverse desires, while acknowledging that most
clients seek destination immersion.
Understanding guests' desires is crucial, but Gina Teo, managing
director of Stamford Travel, highlights the importance of managing
expectations. From recommending larger ships for families to considering
factors like motion sickness and rough weather, the focus is on
ensuring clients' satisfaction and a positive return.
To achieve this, education is essential, particularly because, as
Johnny Judianto, president director of Best Tour and Cruise Centre
notes, in Asia there's a common perception that cruises are
uninteresting. "People require education, and consultants need training
to offer both land-based tours and cruise options."
Going bigger, longer, further
In 2024, Harlow sees a surge in immersive travel to grand destinations like Bhutan, Tanzania, and Peru pre-pandemic. Photo Credit: Unsplash/Victor Rodriguez
Looking into 2024, Harlow notes that guests seek immersive travel
experiences to vast landscapes like Bhutan, Tanzania, and Peru,
embracing pre-pandemic desires to explore extensively. Travel durations
are also extending.
For Harlow, it’s easy to see where opportunities are, with luxury
hospitality chains including Aman, Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons are
foraying into the cruise sector in the coming years. Scott Dunn Asia, no
doubt, is looking to join the growing cruise segment, added Harlow.