ROYAL Caribbean Cruises (RCI) has stepped up its commitment to growing the South American cruise market by opening a new office in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the first RCI company-owned office in the region.
The official opening in August was marked by a formal visit by RCI president and CEO, Adam Goldstein, highlighting Brazil as a key region earmarked for both investment and growth.
“The cruise market in Brazil is one of the fastest growing in the world and, with increased investment and commitment, we aim to accelerate this trend,” said Goldstein. “In late 2009 Royal Caribbean International will have two ships – Vision of the Seas and Splendour of the Seas – dedicated to the Brazilian market which represents a significant uplift in available cruise departures.
“Reinforcing the positive knock-on economic benefits that cruising brings and improving cruise selling awareness are key objectives of my visit to Brazil. I look forward to Royal Caribbean International’s expansion in Brazil and in the entire South America cruise market.”
The new office will support the commercial and operational efforts in Brazil of the company’s three cruise brands – RCI, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises – and will continue to further its international expansion plans, supporting the growing demand for cruise itineraries departing Brazil and around the world.
This opening comes at a key time for the burgeoning Brazilian cruise business. In the last eight seasons, the number of guests embarking on cruises from Brazil grew 623 per cent.
The cruise market in Brazil has grown from 70,000 cruisers in 2001 to over half a million guests in 2008. The company has a combined total of 38 ships in service and five under construction. It also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Dubai, Europe and South America.