News

For Immediate Release

Expedia^® CruiseShipCenters^® Reports 28% Growth:
Sales Results Show Bookings Remain Strong

The vacation travel market – especially the cruise sector, continues to be robust for travel specialists Expedia CruiseShipCenters. The company has just released 2nd Quarter sales figures showing a remarkable 28% growth in bookings over the same period last year.

"Some of this growth can be attributed to the $13.5 million dollars in bookings we made during our 1 Day Sale in June", notes Matthew Eichhorst, Chief Operating Officer. "However, it is more likely a reflection of the fact that we continue to invest heavily in marketing and helping our agents grow their business", he says.

European cruise bookings had the highest growth with a 44% increase, followed by the Caribbean at 32% and Mexico with 23%. The company also reports that their average commissionable fare for a cruise booking is up slightly to $1,325 per person.

Especially interesting is the fact that this phenomenal growth follows a very impressive 2007 in which Expedia CruiseShipCenters broke the $300 million dollar mark in annual sales.

When asked for the secret, Eichhorst simply offered this piece of advice he heard from an experienced agent: "She said, I just switch off CNN, put down the newspaper and pick up the telephone instead. People are still thinking about vacations and a phone call is sometimes all it takes to get them moving!"