NEWS CLIA UK & IRELAND RIVER CRUISE CONVENTION 2015
A record 250 delegates attended Clia’s fifth River Cruise Convention, for which Travel Weekly was media partner. Hollie-Rae Merrick reports from Amsterdam
Trade hailed for reassuring clients after Paris atrocity
Agents have been praised for their efforts in reassuring customers since the terrorist attacks that rocked Paris.
Speaking at the Clia UK &
Ireland River Cruise Convention, Steve Spivak, vice-president of global sales for Tauck, applauded the trade for “hand-holding” and supporting “those whose hands are trembling” out of fear of travelling. Spivak’s comments came as
Clia revealed that a dozen agent delegates had opted to cancel following the Paris attacks. He said: “We are all explorers,
but at times travel requires great courage, strength, perseverance and a pioneering spirit because today, unfortunately, there are monsters lurking around the bend. “It’s within our nature to huddle
up and stay where we know, but we mustn’t forget travel is our evolutionary right, and to seek enlightenment, new experiences and discover new lands is a right that must not be taken away. “I don’t see travel agents before
me. Travel agents are websites – you are ‘change agents’ and
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travelweekly.co.uk 26 November 2015
“It’s hard to deny that this is going to have an effect on the industry
‘courage agents’ – you are the fillers of dreams. “Your role is not to sell travel any
more; your role is to support those whose hands are trembling too hard to pass that line and set sail. You must have the courage and you must believe in your role to do that.” He said the travel industry
was facing “difficult times” when safety and security were being questioned, but he urged delegates to “have courage” and to “never underestimate the power of travel”. Speaking after the session,
GoRiverCruise agent James Hill said the recent attacks would “undoubtedly” have a major effect on the river cruise sector, as most ships visit capital cities and major attractions during sailings. “The question will be whether the Americans stop coming to Europe following the Paris attacks,” he said. “It’s hard to deny that this is going to have an effect on the industry.”
Agents urged to swot up on rivers’ locations
Agents need to improve their knowledge of destinations if they are to “do justice” to the river cruise sector, according to Clia’s agent advisory board chairman, Phil Nuttall. The managing director of
The Cruise Village said the trade needed to be educated on where rivers were and their attractions. He said many industry
veterans, when put to the test, could not identify Europe’s waterways on a map, and urged the trade “to do their homework more often”. Nuttall said: “We need to be educated more on river cruising as it become more mainstream. It is the fastest- growing sector, but probably the least understood. “In the 1980s, none of
‘Difficult times for the industry’: Steve Spivak, Tauck
us knew anything about Civitavecchia [the port for Rome]. The same applies to much of river cruise today. “Destination is key. It’s the
most important thing for our guests and it’s what will give successful agents the edge.”
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