The chairman of Happy Tour, the leading Romanian travel agency, bets on strong growth in cruise packages over the following years.
"Demand for cruises has witnessed spectacular growth. The number of passengers rose from 310 in 2005, to 680 in the first nine months of the year. In the upcoming period, we will deal with demands for cruise incentives (reward trips - i.e.), which allow passengers to combine a five-star trip with seminars," says Nicolae Demetriade.
Cruises accounted for only 3% of the operator's turnover this year, but they are expected to surge in 2007. "We intend to push the cruise sales up to 7% of our turnover in 2007," Demetriade adds.
Happy Tour posted nine-month turnover worth about 27 million euros, up 20% from the corresponding period of 2005, and profit amounting to 7 million euros.
"We focused mainly on the business travel field, but we cover all areas. Corporate travel is the most significant segment," Demetriade explains.
He estimates the agency will close the year with turnover topping 36 million euros, approximately 13% more than in 2005, accounting for the biggest turnover on the travel market. "Having posted some 9.5 million euros from tourist activities only, we are ahead of all the other companies specialised in this field," Demetriade states.
The biggest share of Happy Tour's activity, namely 60%, is held by ticketing - sales of airplane tickets. "We hold a 9.5% share of the ticketing market," says Demetriade.
Domestic travel (event planning - conferences, seminars) accounts for 12% of the company's operations, with the outgoing travel segment holding the remaining share.
The most popular holiday destinations on the outgoing tourism segment this summer were Greece and Turkey, for which the agency operated charters.
The charter system entails the advance payment made by one or mo
