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SHIPBUILDING AND DRY-DOCKING: Promoting sustainability
CREATION OF VALUE AND SPECIALIZED KNOW-HOW
in business processes
Costa Cruises has made major investments in the shipyards of Meyer Weft, notably Although digital channels account for communities in the travel industry, for
in Turku (Finland) where the Costa Smeralda is under construction, and those of an increasing share of the market, agencies in Italy, France and Spain,
Fincantieri, which is building the Costa Venezia. Another related activity of great travel agencies are still one of the most allowing users to exchange information
importance is dry-docking, involving the carrying out of scheduled and extraordinary important sales tools for Costa Cruises and share training techniques in real time.
maintenance of a ship out of the water, with particular regard to the underwater
portion of the hull. Costa’s acquisition of a 33% stake in Chantier Naval de Marseille and often the first point of contact The relationship with travel agents
(with an investment of around €10 million) is a good example of how the Company between the Company and its customers. is also important in conveying the
is engaged in the creation of value in Europe. The French port is set to become the Prospective cruise passengers are sustainability and social responsibility
main dry-docking center for the ships of the Costa Crociere Group (Costa Cruises and often in search of a travel consultant, aspects of our cruises. These elements
AIDA). The following vessels underwent dry-docking in 2017: the Costa neoClassica somebody who can help them come up are included in the specific training
in the Port of Genoa; the Costa Magica and Costa Pacifica in Marseille; the Costa with a personalized package holiday in provided to agents, so that they will
neoRomantica and Costa Serena in Shanghai. line with their expectations. Costa relies underline them as distinguishing
The impact of these dry-docking operations is not just economic; it also leads to the on its travel agent partners. The Costa features of Costa’s wide-ranging,
creation of specific technical and professional expertise gravitating in and around the Sales Academy on Board provides travel top quality offer. The idea is that
yard. The design and maintenance of a cruise ship require highly specialized skills and agents with specific training in sales sustainability should be one of
hubs of excellence as well as infrastructure accommodating next-generation, state-of- techniques and the latest product news. the criteria on which the decision
the-art mega-ships.
Meanwhile, the web platform Costa to purchase a cruise is based, as
extra continues to play an innovative part of a general drive towards
role as one of the biggest online business sustainability goals.
