In this context, Travel2latam had the opportunity to speak with Alberto Muñoz, Vice President of Royal Caribbean for Latin America.
What are the expectations with which you arrive at the Tourist Showcase?
Colombia for us is one of the most important markets in Latin America for two reasons; First, we have grown significantly in terms of local development with the Cartagena product, and also, because air traffic after the pandemic has grown more between Colombia and Latin America. That has helped us a lot for the growth of the Colombian market.
Which boats are the most successful in a market like Colombia?
Today we have a product where Colombians can ship in Cartagena, so that is the most demanded product. However, if that product did not exist, the most demanded would be the 7-night Caribe, not only in Colombia but in Latin America. And then the short Caribbean product leaving Florida is important, along with that of Mediterranean Europe, especially shipping in Barcelona, which has been increasing demand in the last two years.
What other promotional activities do you have planned during this season?
We have representatives here in Colombia and with each of them we have activities, in such a way that we will be able to serve an important product, which is groups. With each of the partners we are going to work on each of the segments, also including the luxury segment in Colombia.
We are coming from the launch of the Icon of the Seas, what have been the first repercussions?
The Icon has helped us break all the company's historical sales records, and Latin America has been no exception. Really in every country I go to, Icon of the Seas is the thing that everyone talks about; It doesn't matter if you are an end client, a travel agent or a journalist, everyone talks about our cruise and it is relevant in all countries.
How does the company's activity continue in the coming months?
In the short term we have the launch of Utopia, which is the new Oasis class ship, putting a new ship in the short Caribbean for the first time. That has never been done and especially not with a ship of the caliber of the Oasis class. That's going to be fantastic, and it's going to put Royal Caribbean in a space in the industry that no one is going to be able to compete with, because we are precisely competing against ourselves. In addition, Star of the Seas is going to be launched next year, and we have started producing a new ship also in the Oasis class. So with all this, plus the upcoming launch of the Beach Club, which is going to be a unique experience only for Royal Caribbean passengers, we are going to be very busy.
What participation in events do you have planned for the first part of the year?
We have several. I can say that we are definitely focused on the largest markets, but that in the 19 that we have, we are going to have events.