ITTN’s Carrie Day met with Antonio Paradiso, UK & Ireland Managing Director of MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys and Vice President of International Sales for MSC Group’s Cruise Division, ahead of the 2024 ITAA Awards at the Mansion House on Thursday 25 Jan, for an exclusive interview.
Carrie: Firstly, congratulations on your newly appointed role, Antonio!
Antonio: Thank you very much and it’s great to be in Dublin. It’s such a nice atmosphere!
Carrie: The night is only getting started and it’s going to be a great one. Obviously MSC Cruises are Headline Sponsor of the ITAA Awards, so I’m sure it means a lot for you to be here.
Antonio: Well, it does. It’s our way to say Thank You to the Irish trade community for their amazing support. It’s thanks to them that MSC are the leading cruise brand in this country so it’s our way to say thank you and to spend some quality time together really! It’s not so much about business talks, it’s more about having a good time.
Carrie: Absolutely! And MSC are up for a couple of Awards tonight – Best Mainstream Cruise Company and Best Cruise Team so I’m sure Suzanne, Erica and Alana have already done you proud.
Antonio: I fully agree and regardless of the outcome, I have the best team in the world, so the awards just adds to it. I am happy with them day in and day out and it’s thanks to them that we are able to achieve wonders in this country. Long may it continue! And with us, it’s all about passion, it’s all about love, and we’re on a mission, so it’s great to be here and share that passion and vision with everyone.
Carrie: Fantastic! So, how is January going for MSC Cruises?
Antonio: Ok, so fingers crossed… it’s the best start ever to the year! We’re actually up 35% year on year and last year was an amazing year, just on par with 2019, so this is the best start I could have hoped for. Now it’s down to them, to be consistent throughout the year because I genuinely believe this is going to be a record-breaking year for Ireland and finally, we can start pushing those boundaries and further expanding the cruise market in this country. I’m really excited… The Irish team are getting compliments from me for 25 consecutive days. They receive daily updates from me every morning at 7am saying “You’re doing great! You’re doing great! Keep going! Keep going!” But it’s down to the support of all the Irish travel agents. They’ve always believed in us and I’m so glad it’s paying off for them and for us.
Carrie: Absolutely! I have no doubt it will be a great year for MSC. So, tell us, what is new for MSC in 2024?
Antonio: (laughs) Well there’s always a lot going on! How long do you have? I’ll probably need a couple of days to cover all the basics! Allow me to say a few words about also for our sister brand, Explora Journeys, that I represent as well. We were very excited last year to launch our very first luxury ship, Explora 1, and it’s been amazing since Day 1. It’s been such an amazing proposition. Such an amazing experience! We’re feeling the love from Ireland, and we will launch the second ship, Explora 2, in August 2024 so we’re getting stronger and stronger also with the luxury market. As far as the contemporary division of the cruise markets of MSC, we are building on all the amazing things we have done last year. Last year we launched two new ships, MSC World Europa and MSC Euribia and I have to say, these two ships are the favourites for all our Irish customers. The MSC World Europa, which is blending two types of ships, is going down a storm with both the Irish trade and customers. So, what can I say, it’s just my opportunity to say thank you really… Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! This is what I’m here for and thanks for your trust. Thanks for your support. We’re doing an amazing job together. Let’s finally push those boundaries. Let’s conquer the world! Let’s do it together. We stand as one, so they will always have my back and I will have theirs, so this is the message really.
Congratulations to MSC Cruises, from all at ITTN, on winning both awards that they were nominated for at this years’ ITAA Awards – Best Mainstream Cruise and Best Cruise Team!
