There’s no doubt that river cruising has been a rising star of the travel industry for the past decade. And even though it’s more familiar to consumers than it once was, there’s still plenty of room for growth. But as the product matures, travel advisors need to be aware of the next phase of this market, which is why this issue’s cover story, “River Cruising Goes Rogue” , is so important. In the article, we focus on exotic river cruises, all of which are ideal for returning cruisers and adventurous travelers.
In fact, getting off well-trodden waterways fits a larger movement in travel that advisors can expect to see in the coming decade. According to the 2020 Virtuoso Luxe Report, which predicts travel preferences for the year ahead, “Untouristed and Unexpected” is the top trend to watch.
“With some favorite destinations seeing an untenable rise in demand, the well-traveled luxury set is seeking remote, unspoiled destinations to avoid crowds at over-touristed locales,” according to the report.
In addition, the report also cites authenticity as a top trend, and the “excitement of discovering new destinations” as a top travel motivation in 2020.
Cruising the less frequented rivers of the world checks all these boxes — without compromising luxury and convenience — while providing an intimate local experience, which is a precious commodity for today’s clients.
Perhaps you’ve captured your own exotic and extraordinary travel moments through amazing images. If so, we’re hoping you’ll share some of your favorite photos in our 9th annual Travel Agent Photo Contest.
Winning shots will receive cash prizes and will be featured in an upcoming issue of TravelAge West. Send high-resolution photos via email to letters@travelagewest.com. Write “Photo Contest” in the subject of the email, and include information about the image in the body of the email (where and when it was taken, any special circumstances related to the photo, etc.). Full rules and more information is available online at www.travelagewest.com. The deadline for submissions is Dec. 6.
