Wake up to river cruise opportunities A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR


I first moderated Clia’s RiverView conference in 2014. Fewer than 100 delegates joined us in Amsterdam to learn about what was then a pretty unknown sector – and to see just a couple of river ships. Fast-forward 10 years and 540 delegates joined us back in the Dutch capital for four days’ worth of learning – including the chance to experience 11 different vessels. The river cruise market is still considerably smaller than the ocean cruise sector, with 1.9 million customers taking a European river cruise last year compared with 31.5 million ocean cruisers. But it is growing fast and agents are jumping on the bandwagon. As we reported recently, customers are increasingly looking beyond fly-and-flop holidays to city breaks and experiential travel, and with more


demand for cooler climates in summer and a focus on value and responsible travel, river cruising ticks a lot of boxes. Riviera Travel chief Phil Hullah neatly described it as the ultimate way to combine “relaxation and exploration with a lower-case e”. It certainly felt this week as if the sector was out of the shadows, though as A-Rosa’s Lucia Rowe argued, river cruising “has been having a moment for some time, but people haven’t been awake”.


In terms of investment and innovation in new ships, destinations, itineraries and experiences, Lucia is absolutely right, and lines are matching that investment with agency sales and support, joint marketing funds, fam trips and training – not to mention healthy commission. If you haven’t already, it is definitely time to open your eyes.


Lucy Huxley, editor-in-chief, Travel Weekly Group CONTENTS NEWS River myths persist in ‘pivotal year’


On the Beach confirms trade commitment 4 No warning over APD hike


COVER photo


Clia’s Andy Harmer, back, with, from left: Penny Jenner, Not Just Travel; Sinead


Lonergan, Travel Counsellors Ireland; Ash Boler,


Worldchoice Travel; Sherilee Thompson, Sherandali Travel; and Rita Singh, flightsandpackages.com


Photo: Steve Dunlop


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PTR reform latest; MSC ups ship visits 6 Celebrity training back; Term-time fines 8 Special Reports


Travel Weekly Industry Leaders’ Breakfast 10 Hays Travel IG Conference, Leeds


The Hotlist for cruise and touring sectors 14 comment


12 Giles Hawke: Post-peaks reflection


NEWS YOU CAN USE Product Loch Lomond Travel, Newmarket EasyJet holidays, Riviera Travel


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WHAT LUCY DID THIS WEEK


OHosted a live webinar at the end of Australia Week with dnata’s Simon Applebaum and Tourism Australia chief Sally Cope.


OHad a great night of darts at Flight Club with the team to celebrate the 50th birthday of my long-time deputy and friend, Robin Searle.


OFound hand-drawn Mother’s Day cards in my suitcase on arrival in Amsterdam. Second year I’ve missed it but they still made me feel special.


Your Stories Imp Travel founder Paul Brewer


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competitions Estonia, Norway, Belgian Grand Prix 28


DESTINATIONS UK & Ireland Wild Atlantic Way: Walking, cycling and driving holidays to mark 10th anniversary of western Ireland route 30


Manor House Stays: Six of the best properties in England and Scotland 35 rail travel


Europe: Operators’ top tips for food, history and nature- themed rail holidays


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Fred Olsen, A-Rosa, HAL, Hurtigruten 20 BUSINESS NEWS


THE QUEEN’S AWARDS FOR ENTERPRISE:


INTERNATIONAL TRADE 2020


FRONT COVER AND THIS PAGE: Steve Dunlop; Shutterstock/Kevin George, alice- photo, watin; Ivan Sarfatti


travelweekly.co.uk


FRONTLINE agent diary Helen Parry: Some customers have forgotten our help in pandemic 25


FOLLOW US: @travelweekly


American’s row with Asta inflamed 46 JetBlue $3.8bn takeover deal blocked 46 Hunt removes tax relief on holiday lets 47 APD long-haul rise is blow to sector 48


travelweeklyuk @travelweeklyuk 14 MARCH 2024 3 38


Japan: An extended bullet train line is opening up Fukui in the country’s west 41


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