Costa Cruises has announced that effective March 1st, 2012 Lotus Destinations has become its General Sales Agent for the Indian market.

According to Dario Rustico, Sales and Marketing Director for Central Europe, Africa, Middle East and India, who personally came to Mumbai on March 17-18, 2012 to announce the news to the trade and media gathered on the occasion of Costa Deliziosa visit, “Nalini Gupta, Head of Lotus Destinations, has the track record and experience in the Indian Travel Market, to effectively strengthen our Brand and grow both Costa’s market share and distribution network in a consistent and efficient manner.”

While Costa Cruises, a known brand in India has been present in the Indian market for several years, servicing its clients through a network of strong preferred agencies, the growing awareness and desire for cruise holidays among Indian travelers has made Costa Cruises re-align its India Market Strategy in order to be able to gain more focus and control and indeed implement stronger sales and marketing initiatives.

Immediately the commercial focus will go toward the promotion of three-, four- and five- night cruises in the Mediterranean with Costa Atlantica during the upcoming Indian high season holidays of April, May, June as well as cruises of the same length in Asia served by Costa Victoria out of popular ports like Shanghai and Singapore.

Nalini Gupta, well networked in the travel and corporate sphere, said: “It is exciting times to be part of the cruise industry in India as I not only see the cruise market size increasing exponentially but also Costa benefiting from this growth largely because of their extensive network to exotic destinations, impeccable product, world-class entertainment and deep insight of customer service.”