“Our top markets are Italy, South America, and a competitive mix of Spain, France, Germany, among other international regions. India, while showing great promise, needs to be further developed to compare with these markets. Currently, we attract thousands of passengers from India, but we aim to grow these numbers significantly in the future,” said Mirco Vassallo, International Sales Director of Costa Cruises.
Costa Cruises, the Italian luxury cruise company, has identified India as a market brimming with untapped potential. Speaking during a recent media interaction, Mirco Vassallo, International Sales Director of Costa Cruises, acknowledged that while India is not yet among the company’s primary markets, its immense growth prospects are undeniable.
“Historically, India played a pivotal role in Costa Cruises’ operations, with milestones such as hosting ships in Mumbai during 2017 and 2018. Currently, India is not one of our primary markets, but it is emerging as a key focus area where we see significant potential. We’re investing to increase our presence and aim for growth in the coming years,” he said.
While thousands of Indian passengers already enjoy Costa’s offerings, the cruise line aims to significantly expand these numbers in the coming years. “Our top markets are Italy, South America, and a competitive mix of Spain, France, Germany, among other international regions. India, while showing great promise, needs to be further developed to compare with these markets,” remarked Vassallo.
India’s potential, he said, lies in its growing outbound tourism market and its increasing affinity for unique travel experiences. When discussing the target audience in India, Vassallo highlighted a focus on young couples and families seeking more than just standard travel. However, the road ahead will require a collaborative effort, including partnerships with local stakeholders and innovative product offerings tailored to Indian travellers, he shared.
As a part of this strategy, Costa Cruises has also officialised its distribution network for the Indian market by appointing three new preferred sales agents in India. By bring their knowledge and expertise, Rayna Tours, Sharaf Travel, and Cruise Carrot, in addition to Lotus Aero Enterprise Ltd that was already representing Costa in the country, will extend the opportunity to made Costa cruises available to local consumers.
Through a new team of four PSAs, Costa aims at offering its cruises to both the incentive market and to those customers who prefer an international style holiday in Europe. “With the onboarding of new travel partners and an expanding distribution network, we expect significant growth in India,” Vassallo stated.
As Costa Cruises’ General Sales Agent in India for over a decade, Lotus Aero enterprises has been a driving force for the Indian cruise market. Speaking at a media briefing in Delhi recently, Owner of the company, Nalini Gupta, recalled how the Lotus introduced Costa to India in 2012, a brand that was previously unknown in the market.
“Our dedication and innovative strategies have not only fostered significant presence of Costa brand but have also inspired other ocean liners to explore the opportunities within the Indian market. We look forward to continuing our journey together with Costa in elevating the cruising experience for Indian consumers,” she said.
Neeraj Sharma, Director of Cruise Carrot, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with Costa, calling it a significant opportunity for his company. Highlighting Costa’s competitive pricing, he emphasized that family packages for two adults and two children are often more affordable than comparable land-based holidays. Sharma shared that his company has successfully managed large corporate events aboard Costa vessels and has consistently worked to position the cruise line as a high value offering tailored to Indian families. “We are committed to contributing to the success of Costa’s cruises in the Indian market and delivering unforgettable holiday experiences to our clients,” he stated.
Senthil Velan, Chief Executive Officer Varun Rayna Tours, added, “We are excited to partner with Costa Crociere and bring their exceptional cruise experiences to the Indian market. Our deep understanding of the local market combined with Costa’s unparalleled offerings will undoubtedly create unforgettable journeys for our customers.”
Leena Brahme, Business Head, Sharaf Travel commented, “Partnering with Costa Crociere allows us to offer our clients a unique and luxurious cruise experience. We look forward to a successful collaboration that will enhance the travel options available to Indian customers.” She also spoke about the Indian and Jain food options onboard, with Indian chefs available on Costa ships.
On board Costa ships, Indian customers can enjoy a range of opportunities, such as high-quality entertainment featuring international artists, music, and shows that cater to diverse tastes and preferences, a wide variety of international dining options with a special focus on vegetarian cuisine and during the Emirates season also on Indian cuisine, unforgettable experiences such as Desert on the Sea on Costa Smeralda with desert-inspired music, and the soothing sounds of the sea, among others.
Going forward, Costa is also planning to expand into the Eastern Mediterranean and launching a new Canary Islands product for winter 2025-26. Notably, Costa Cruises is an Italian company, based in Genoa, which is part of Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest cruise group. For more than 75 years, Costa ships have been plying the seas of the world, taking guests to more than 200 different destinations. Currently, the Costa fleet consists of 9 ships, sailing in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and the United Arab Emirates, Far East, South-east Asia.
