Pandaw Cruises look to expand market presence
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Pandaw Cruises is currently witnessing a year of growth and going forward is looking to at product enhancements. This is undertaken through refurbishments of its existing ships. The ships are being fitted with latest facilities such as gyms and spas. Two ships from the current fleet have already been refitted with many more to follow.
Paul Strachan, founder of Pandaw Cruises talks to Travel Daily about the company’s focus for the year ahead. “Our current fleet consists of 10 ships with two under construction. Having carved a niche, we are looking at enhancing our product which caters well for families. The new developments will include a keen focus on our website. We are looking at co-operating with agents or tour operators to further promote the product. The Middle East would be one of the market we would be interested in promoting our cruises.”
With a well-established clientele taking up cruises on an average between seven to 14 days, the company is looking at new markets. There is also a 21-night cruise that explores remote parts of Myanmar. “Our major client base is from Australia, USA is catching up but mainly through charters, and then the UK, Switzerland and Germany. We do have people coming from Dubai but mainly expats,” adds Strachan.
The two new ships being developed will interestingly be smaller as navigation is getting more challenging especially in Myanmar. Spelling out details, Strachan says: “The new ships will only feature 20-cabins each with a new design. They benefits of having a smaller ship is that we can operate them into deeper and remote regions. They should be completed by July 2014 and will be put into operation with our first cruise in July –Aug 2014.”
Pandaw Cruises catered to around 10,000 passengers in 2012 with an optimistic target of touching 12,000 passengers in the 2013-14 season.
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