Hays Travel Group has strategically invested in a groundbreaking cruise booking app, signalling a forward-thinking approach to modern travel solutions. These are the key developments in this venture.
- Since its launch in 2022, My Kind of Cruise has attracted a significant user base of 303,000, with over half from Millennials and Gen Z, highlighting its innovative appeal.
- The app utilises social media marketing effectively, reaching 58% of bookings from first-time cruisers, showcasing a shift in consumer behaviour.
- High-level appointments of Hays Travel directors to the board are set to bolster My Kind of Cruise’s ambitious growth strategies.
- The collaboration follows impressive performance metrics from Hays Travel’s Vista team, which surpassed booking targets significantly.
Hays Travel Group’s recent investment in My Kind of Cruise, reputed to be the world’s first cruise booking app, underscores a significant move towards integrating technology with traditional travel services. Launched in 2022, the app has quickly garnered a user base of 303,000 individuals across mobile, tablet, and web platforms. A notable demographic of these users includes over half being Millennials and Gen Z, indicating a strong resonance with younger generations who are adept at using technology.
The app’s strategic marketing approach is primarily through social media and personal recommendations, a modern shift from traditional marketing tactics. This has allowed My Kind of Cruise to capture a larger segment of first-time cruisers, making up 58% of its bookings. Such a strategy highlights the changing dynamics in consumer behaviour towards cruise vacations, where ease of booking plays a crucial role.
Hays Travel has also facilitated the strategic positioning of two of its directors, Jonathon Woodall-Johnston and Ken Campling, on the board of My Kind of Cruise. This move is designed to support the CEO, Sefton Monk, in scaling the business and achieving its growth ambitions. The backing of seasoned professionals provides not only financial support but also valuable industry experience, serving as a catalyst for further expansion.
The collaboration between My Kind of Cruise and Hays Travel comes on the heels of notable success from Hays’ dedicated cruise team, Vista, which notably exceeded its booking targets for the first quarter by nearly 50%. This achievement exemplifies Hays Travel’s robust capabilities in the cruise sector, contributing to a strengthened partnership aimed at expanding market reach.
This strategic partnership and investment highlight the evolving landscape of travel booking, marrying technology with traditional expertise to penetrate new markets effectively.
