Cruise 360 ​​Brazil: Darío Rustico, Executive President of Costa Cruises for the Americas and Chairman of the Board of CLIA, highlights the high demand for cruises and 100% occupancy on voyages

During the event, Darío Rustico highlighted the strong demand for sea travel and presented the company's main markets and destinations.

Held on March 14th and 15th at the Santos Convention Center, Cruise 360 ​​Brasil brought together travel agents, executives, and industry experts for two days of training and networking. The event is organized by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and already takes place in other strategic markets of the cruise industry, such as the United States, Europe, and Australia.

The initiative was brought to Brazil with the goal of strengthening professional training and fostering relationships between companies in the sector.

According to Darío Rustico, CEO of Costa Cruises for the Americas and chairman of the CLIA board, the meeting represents an important moment for the industry. "It's a wonderful moment for the industry to come together, to build relationships and also to empower professionals," Rustico stated.

The executive explained that Cruise 360 ​​was structured as a large annual training event for travel agents and tourism professionals working with cruise ships.

High demand for cruises in South America

Although the capacity of ships in the region has not grown at the same rate, the demand for sea travel continues at a rapid pace.

Rustico highlighted that public interest remains strong in Brazil and neighboring countries. "Demand is very high, very strong, and guest satisfaction is also very high," he said.

The executive explained that one of the main challenges to expanding the supply of ships in South America is related to the region's operational costs, a topic that the industry has been discussing with authorities to increase the destination's competitiveness compared to other international markets.

A successful season for Costa Cruises.

Costa Cruises' most recent season yielded positive results. According to Rustico, the ships operated at maximum occupancy.

"The occupancy rate was full, meaning 100% of the capacity was sold, and guest satisfaction was very high," the executive stated.

He further highlighted that Costa's passenger satisfaction index in the region is among the highest in the company's global fleet, a result that has been consistent in recent years.

In addition to the positive commercial performance, Rustico noted that the sector also faces challenges related to rising operating costs, a factor that directly impacts companies' strategic planning.

Global programming drives cruise sales.

Throughout the year, the company operates different itineraries in various regions of the world. According to Rustico, itineraries in the Caribbean, the Canary Islands, Asia, and also the traditional world cruises have had positive results.

"All the programs were a success for the company," he stated.

Currently, the company is focusing its efforts on selling tours for the European summer season, which takes place between June and November. The itineraries include trips through the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.

The Caribbean is growing as a destination for Brazilians.

Another expanding market is the Caribbean, which has been attracting more and more Brazilian travelers.

Costa Cruises operates two ships based in the Dominican Republic. One departs from Santo Domingo and the other from La Romana, offering seven-night itineraries with different destinations in the region.

To make access easier, the company also offers complete packages with direct flights from São Paulo to the Dominican Republic.

According to Rustico, the destination is expected to gain even more strength in the coming years. "We believe it's one of the fastest-growing destinations on the coast in the coming years," he explained.

South American season already has strong sales.

Advance sales for the next season in South America are also showing positive performance.

Costa Cruises has confirmed the operation of two ships in the region, the Costa Diadema and the Costa Serena, which are already experiencing high demand from the public.

At the same time, the Caribbean will remain a strong part of the company's portfolio with ships such as the Costa Favolosa and the Costa Fascinosa, expanding itinerary options for international customers.

Training for travel agents

During Cruise 360, one of the main topics discussed was the training of travel agents, considered fundamental to the growth of the sector.

According to Rustico, many professionals already have extensive experience in selling cruises, but continuous training is essential to better understand the profile of each passenger.

"It's important to understand the customer profile and what the best solution is for them. The right product for the right passenger," the executive explained.

For him, the biggest challenge is not the sale itself, but the initial perception of those who start working with this type of product.

"When a person starts selling, it may seem difficult. But the more they sell, the better they get," he said.

Passenger profile

Costa Cruises welcomes different types of travelers throughout the year, but two groups predominate.

According to Rustico, families and couples make up the majority of the company's guests.

During school holidays, there is a large presence of families with children. Outside of these periods, there is an increase in trips by couples and also by more mature passengers.

Nevertheless, the executive points out that young people are also present in these travel markets.

Main markets for Costa Cruises

Among the most important source markets for the company are Brazil and Argentina.

The cruise season in Brazil continues to be the most important in terms of volume for the company, especially due to the proximity between passengers and embarkation ports.

Ships departing from Santos, Rio de Janeiro, and Itajaí facilitate access for Brazilian travelers.

According to Rustico, proximity and connectivity are key factors for the product's success.

In addition to domestic travel, Brazilians have also been increasingly seeking international itineraries, mainly in the Caribbean and the Western Mediterranean, with seven-night trips.

Reporting and photo: Mary de Aquino.