NEWS SPECIAL REPORT
AmaWaterways’ Stuart Perl and (left) roundtable attendees
Clia hosted a roundtable for river line members last week. R
iver lines say they have noticed “a distinct shiſt” of cruise passengers switching from ocean
to the waterways as products are further developed. Despite some saying the river
sector is a decade behind ocean in terms of product development and passenger numbers, lines report established ocean passengers being lured to rivers around the world. Luxury line AmaWaterways
launched Europe’s largest vessel – AmaMagna – this year and UK managing director Stuart Perl believes the 196-passenger ship has enticed passengers from ocean. He told the Clia roundtable:
“We are seeing a distinct shiſt of ocean cruisers coming across to us, particularly on AmaMagna because
AmaMagna
Harry Kemble joined the discussion about trends in the sector People are showing
an interest in river cruise and want to know more about it
of the space it offers. It is so akin to those luxury boutique ocean ships.” Uniworld’s UK managing director
Chris Townson agreed, adding that the product gap between ocean and river was not as wide as many think. He said: “Ocean cruise passengers are used to multiple dining venues and health and wellbeing options. Tis is normal on an ocean cruise. River is maturing and we’re building the product to what people want – it is really interesting.” CroisiEurope will increase its
fleet to 60 next year when it launches
two charter ships on the Nile and Ganges. Director of sales John Fair hinted that new itineraries were the key to atracting new customers. He said: “Te number one driver is the itinerary and the river. Tat is what we’re finding whenever we offer new itineraries with new ports of call – they are the itineraries that sell well.”
High street Although independent online agents still dominate the river sector in terms of sales distribution, Avalon Waterways sales director Janet Parton said high street bricks and mortar agencies were “coming to the table more”. Fred Holidays agency sales
manager Dave Chidley said: “More people are showing an interest in [river cruise] and wanting to know more about it. “We are 10 years behind ocean
cruise. Tis is just how it was back then for ocean. If you were an independent agent who had never sold [ocean] cruise before it could be a litle bit daunting.” Perl said that river cruise was a
“highly profitable” proposition for high street agents.
20 26 SEPTEMBER 2019
Danube crash Sales for the Danube, the most popular river for the British and Irish market, “suffered” aſter a collision in May between a tourist boat and cruise ship Viking Sigyn killed 28 people. Lucia Rowe, A-Rosa’s UK &
Ireland managing director, said: “For our German-speaking market we felt that instantly and sales suffered. It was a huge tragedy.” Chidley added that Danube
marketing was pulled for “a couple of weeks” as a mark of respect.
Brexit Perl did not believe Brexit would affect long-term sales when asked about the challenges faced in 2020. He said: “We are geting good
pick-up on the Christmas market [cruises]. Brexit is not so much of a challenge [in 2020]. Everything will have setled down by then.” Townson echoed this, adding:
“How many times have we been here? Whether it’s Sars or the millennium bug – we get back on board.” Rowe felt climate change is the
biggest issue for lines. “When the summers are really hot…those challenges can be disastrous.”
travelweekly.co.uk
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