Star Cruises makes Goa second homeport

**Ally** · 08-18-2006, 05:00 AM

On the cusp of its second year of domestic cruises with Superstar Libra, Star Cruises has told Express TravelWorld that Goa will now be second homeport on its calendar, operating single-day cruises, to tap the thriving tourism season. Further, one-way cruise packages to Goa will also be marketed as a more interesting way to travel.

The company will focus intensely on the corporate community and groups profile. While Star Cruises fell short of its 70 per cent load target in 2005-06, it is confident of cinching it with focus on larger numbers travelling together, which Sarosh Khatib, general manager India of the company said, was typical to the profile of the Indian cruiser who prefers to travel in larger groups. "The emphasis will be on shorter cruises with a variety like the single-day cruise out of Goa which will now be our second homeport as well the one-way cruise option from Mumbai to Goa."

"The one and two-nights package did exceedingly well but the four-nights one did not so, and the overall average fell. We have therefore introduced a three-night package in addition to the one and two nights package," Khatib revealed. He however remained non-committal as far as the number of years that SuperStar Libra will be dedicated to the Indian market. Star Cruises is also looking at increasing its base of PSAs (preferred sales agents) in second-tier cities, up from the existing 15 with efforts in cities like Goa, Pune, Coimbatore and Bhopal. The company is looking at converting groups to repeat FITs as well. The second year, Khatib assures, will also witness a concerted Indianisation of the product.

(Express Travel - India)