Here are seven key takeaways from the Cruise Line International Association river cruise conference in Budapest, marking a return to the Danube River, which was attended by 400 delegates.
- Rivercruise is hot, being driven by a growing demand for small ship experiences that offer outstanding service and immersive travel through key destinations.
- Longer-haul river cruising options to destinations such as the Mekong, the Ganges and the Amazon are becoming more popular, allowing holidaymakers to see more while doing it in a relaxing way, which is proving to be very popular.
- Shorter river cruise trips, conversely, are also gaining traction, catering to travellers with limited time while still providing a relaxing getaway.
- Multi-river cruising is on the rise, meaning travelers are jumping from river to river within Europe while on the same holiday.
- New rivers are being marketed; river cruise lines are not discovering new rivers—they’re just placing ships on rivers that were already there.
- The river cruising season is extending earlier into the yea, River cruising, which typically slowed down in January, February, and March, is now starting earlier, giving river cruise holidaymakers an opportunity to explore Europe during those shoulder seasons.
- Wellness and fitness is growing as people want to use their holiday time to engage in activities they wouldn’t normally do at home (Andy Harmer contends that going to the bar to enjoy a drink is also good for your wellness)
Six river cruise operators, Riviera Travel, VIVA Cruises, Scenic, AmaWaterways, and TUI River Cruises, showcased their ships throughout the conference, allowing agents to visit them over the course of two days. Delegates enjoyed two overnight stays aboard the ships, complete with hosted dinners and evening entertainment.
Business sessions, moderated by CLIA’s Andy Harmer and Travel Weekly’s Lucy Huxley, and the networking trade fair took place in the Marriott Hotel, conveniently located along the banks of the river and just moments away from the river ships docked nearby. The sessions discussed emerging river cruise trends, innovative marketing opportunities, new itineraries, and strategies for attracting first-time customers.
A New-to-Selling River Cruise Masterclass took place on the Saturday morning, before the main programme commenced. Agents had the option to pre-register for this valuable session.
After the conference, several supporting ships hosted delegates on short Familiarisation (FAM) trips to Vienna. The event was supported by headline sponsors Travel Weekly and Mail Metro Media.
