NEWS ROUND-UP
COMMENT: “While voluntourism has the potential to improve the lives of communities worldwide, it can result in unforeseen negative impacts” Nikki White, page 34
IN THE PICTURE: AWTE raises £20k
The Association of Women Travel Executives (AWTE) raised more than £20,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society at its annual Christmas lunch. Guests dug deep during auctions at the Grange Tower
Bridge Hotel in London last week, while entertainment was provided by Aled Jones with a Christmas sing along. Exiting chair, Debbee Dale, also revealed that a branch
of the AWTE will launch in Ireland in early 2017, after it unveiled plans in November to expand globally. Dale said: “The AWTE Christmas lunch is a great
opportunity to support female progression and development in the travel and tourism industry.” Jones is pictured with PS Kang, Moresand Group;
Wendy Lahmich, Holland America Line and Seabourn UK; and Jeannette Linfoot, Saga Group.
Uniworld boss hits back at Crystal’s luxury claim
Lucy Huxley
lucy.huxley@
travelweekly.co.uk
The president of Uniworld has dismissed claims that Crystal Cruises is the only ultra-luxury operator on the rivers as “simply not true”.
Ellen Bettridge was responding
to a presentation at the Clia River Cruise Conference last month by Crystal Cruises president and chief executive Edie Rodriguez. Bettridge said: “We were
somewhat surprised and amazed by Edie Rodriguez’s recent claims that Crystal has no competitors in the ultra-luxury river cruise space.” She said Uniworld, Tauck and Scenic could all compete with Crystal’s new proposition. Referring to her own brand, she said: “Uniworld has been established and recognised in the luxury river sector for many years, in particular since we became part of The Travel Corporation in 2004 and our ships were invested in and reimagined to a level never seen before in river cruising.”
“For Crystal to claim to be the sector’s only ultra-luxury brand is simply not true”
Crystal to claim to be the sector’s only ultra-luxury brand is simply not true.”
She said the numerous awards
‘NO COMPETITORS’: Rodriguez made claim at Clia Conference
Bettridge, who joined Uniworld
four months ago from roles at Silversea Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises, said she welcomed the introduction of new brands to the river cruise sector as it raised the profile of river cruising generally, but warned that Rodriguez’s comments were unhelpful when trying to educate agents and consumers. “With more players in this space, all tides rise and it is great for the industry as a whole. But for
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travelweekly.co.uk 15 December 2016
won by Uniworld were proof of its luxury credentials, and added: “It’s important for us to clarify our proposition, not only to safeguard our reputation, but also to make it clear to agents that they have genuine choice in this space.” Bettridge concluded: “We have
to start telling agents there is a difference between operators on the river. That, like with ocean cruising, there are luxury, premium and mass market operators. “The difference comes from the space and hardware on board, the level of service, what’s included in
the price, and shore excursions.” › Uniworld boosts trade relations, page 30
Norwegian and Royal Caribbean unveil new Cuba itineraries
Agents have welcomed news that five US brands operated by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) and Royal Caribbean Cruises will operate in Cuba next year. NCLH will become the first US
cruise operator to have all three brands – Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises – offering cruises to Cuba, which has been off limits to US operators for more than 50 years. Royal Caribbean International
and Azamara Club Cruises will also run their first cruises to Cuba from Florida. Iglu Cruise managing director
Simone Clark said: “It’s great that such a range of cruise lines will be sailing there, as it means there will be a cruise for families, premium and luxury travellers.” The first cruise by NCLH is
due to depart from Miami on Oceania Cruises’ Marina on March 7 with Royal Caribbean’s Empress of the Seas sailing from Miami on April 19. Cruise118 product and
commercial director Alison Earnshaw said: “We are seeing interest from regular cruisers, and new-to-cruise customers.”
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