BRETT Tollman, ceo, The Travel Corporation has ruled out moving into the “crowded” space of ocean cruising and said TTC will instead focus on growing the potential of its existing brands. Talking to CW on board the inaugural sailing of Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection’s Joie de Vivre, Tollman said...
BRETT Tollman, ceo, The Travel Corporation has ruled out moving into the “crowded” space of ocean cruising and said TTC will instead focus on growing the potential of its existing brands.
Talking to CW on board the inaugural sailing of Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection’s Joie de Vivre, Tollman said TTC had never believed investing in ocean cruising was the right fit.
“This ship cost 26 million euros to build and furnish, an ocean cruise ship costs 300-500 million, so it’s a very different game,” Tollman said.
Joie de Vivre is completely paid off, with debt and mortgages not playing a part in the business strategy of TTC.
“One of our success stories has always been very disciplined and focussed…and never getting over extended in what we do,” he said.
“That way you can perpetuate the business hopefully for several generations without being exposed to the peaks and valleys and highs and lows that happen.”
Tollman noted the sheer number of expedition ships on order, as well as the “massive investment” involved in the likes of Royal Caribbean International’s growing vessel size.
“There’s some great operators in the ocean cruise space, they are fantastic at what they do and we don’t want to go into a space that’s crowded and would be very hard to find our niche in.”
Tollman said TTC is instead putting its efforts into innovating its existing brands.
“There is so much opportunity within each business to grow its footprint and its profitability so if you’re buying new companies you get distracted from that focus,” he said, adding TTC is still always looking at outside opportunities.
