Growing Timaru Demand for International Cruises

Growing Timaru Demand for International Cruises Creates New Business Opportunity

A new travel service has been set up to meet the growing demand by Timaru locals for international luxury cruises and access to more remote travel destinations like Antarctica.

House of Travel has merged Simon Hocking House of Travel with Kemp House of Travel in a new business rebranded House of Travel Timaru, offering locals one comprehensive travel resource.

The new Timaru business will be led by retail manager Darryl Sandri who says river cruises are among the most popular travel options for locals right now.

Timaru travellers are particularly keen on European river cruises with 15-day Amsterdam to Budapest cruises top of the popularity stakes and also interest in river cruises through regional France, Eastern Europe and Asia.

“River cruises are a great, relaxing holiday option,” Sandri says. “Some companies offer absolutely everything and we’ve had clients coming back and saying they couldn’t spend any money, on some cruises you can even fly free to Europe!”

River cruising tends to be popular with locals aged 55 to 60 who like the idea of only having to unpack once and docking in the middle of towns and cities along the way, he says.

Another growing travel market for Timaru residents is mainland USA.

“The States is so much more accessible now with more available flights to Los Angeles and San Francisco daily. The US dollar is also appealing and a lot of people go there to see the national parks,” Sandri says.

Sandri says when it comes to traveling many Timaru locals take their Kiwi can do attitude with them.

“Some travellers enjoy the “do it yourself” approach and rent a car to sight-see at their leisure but others opt for the no-hassle group experience.

“We’re seeing a lot of groups of friends travelling together, mainly couples in their mid-50s who maybe have the kids off their hands now,” he says.

Los Vegas remains popular among Timaru travellers with many ending their journeys there, staying a few days to see the sights and check out the casinos, and taking a trip to or flight over the Grand Canyon, he says.

Sandri says he’s thrilled that Timaru travellers have become increasingly adventurous.

“The world is lot more accessible now and people are looking for different destinations, away from the mainstream. For instance, Antarctica is becoming popular and places like Vietnam have been popular for a while now with no sign of that waning.

“There are so many choices now, travel is more affordable and Timaru people are making the most of it,” Sandri says.

“We’re very pleased that as a result of the House of Travel merger in Timaru, we will now be able to offer locals the benefits of the expertise of all our experienced local travel consultants under one roof.”

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