‘Book now as river capacity will fill’


Josie Klein Clia RiverView Conference, Vienna


Agents have been warned not to be complacent about booming river cruise sales, despite predictions that 2023 will be the “best year ever for the sector”. Speaking at Clia’s RiverView


Conference in Vienna, Clia chair and Royal Caribbean vice-president EMEA Ben Bouldin said the opening of more global markets and attractive pricing meant UK and Irish agents could not afford to be “passive”. “The lifting of restrictions


around the globe has opened up the US market to coming to


Europe in greater numbers, and we are starting to see that as airfares come down,” he said. “For you guys, it’s a warning shot.


Don’t sit back and be passive, because the capacity will fill. Take this opportunity to get your customers to book now. The next four, eight or 12 weeks will be critical.” Jamie Loizou, AmaWaterways


managing director and Clia river cruise chair, also urged agents to seize current opportunities, as he highlighted research that suggested a night on a river cruise cost 30% less than an equivalent land stay in a city such as Amsterdam, Budapest or Vienna. “We are in the midst of a fantastic


Abta, Iata and GSTC pledge to go ahead with Turkey events


Ian Taylor


Travel and tourism organisations planning conferences in Turkey this year have pledged to go ahead as the country deals with the aftermath of the earthquakes that killed more than 50,000 people in southeast Turkey and Syria in February. Antalya, in southern Turkey, is


due to host the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) conference in early May. Airline association Iata will hold its annual general meeting (AGM) in Istanbul at the start of June. And Abta will host its Travel Convention in Bodrum, southwest Turkey, in October. A GSTC spokesperson expressed


6 16 MARCH 2023


“deepest sympathies to all affected by the devastating earthquakes”, confirming: “Together with the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), we decided to hold the GSTC 2023 conference in May as planned.” The GSTC noted Antalya is more


than 500 miles from the disaster area and said: “Antalya was not affected by the earthquakes. It is safe. Visitors are welcomed and appreciated by locals and the tourism sector that relies on us.” The conference is scheduled to take place on May 9-12. Iata confirmed its AGM and


the associated World Air Transport Summit, scheduled for June 4-6 in Istanbul, would go ahead. Director general Willie Walsh said: “Turkey


For you guys,


it’s a warning shot. Don’t sit back. The next four, eight or 12 weeks will be critical


wave period and river cruise is on the verge of something big, as 2023 presents the opportunity for river cruise to have its best year ever,” Loizou told delegates. However, he urged the trade to


further build their knowledge of the sector and described as a “disgrace” a survey of agent delegates that showed


52% had not been on a river cruise ship before the conference. “Some of us are guilty of getting


home from a conference and [letting] life take over,” he said. “But you must take this opportunity and use your experiences – the conversations you’ve had and the people you’ve met – to grow and develop and create new business for yourselves. “Compare a river cruise with 24


hours in a centrally located hotel in Amsterdam, Budapest or Vienna, including accommodation, a pool, meals, excursions, pre-dinner drinks and entertainment. The river cruise is 30% less [expensive] and agents can earn commission on every element.”


Bodrum


is a fantastic destination with a great aviation tradition and we look forward to meeting in Istanbul.” Walsh noted last month: “This


tragedy has deeply moved us and the world. Our thoughts are with all those impacted by this horrific event.” Abta’s Travel Convention in


Bodrum is scheduled for October 30 to November 1. Chief executive Mark Tanzer said: “Turkey is a hugely popular and important tourist destination and we’re very much looking forward to it hosting the 2023 Travel Convention. “We’ve all been deeply saddened by the devastation. Travel and


tourism will play an important role in supporting the recovery effort. We look forward to showcasing everything this destination has to offer and will be releasing details about this year’s convention soon.” Intrepid Travel encouraged


people to visit Turkey after raising more than $150,000 in its appeal to support victims of the earthquakes, which killed an Intrepid tour leader. Intrepid EMEA managing director


Zina Bencheikh told a Travel Weekly webcast: “The economy depends on travel returning. We have trips running and we haven’t seen any cancellations. None of our trips are impacted.”


travelweekly.co.uk


PICTURE: Shutterstock/epic_images


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52